This Week in Canadian Immigration: Double Express Entry Draws Shake Up the Pool!
- Gagandeep Singh
- Jul 13
- 3 min read
Welcome to your essential weekly roundup of Canadian immigration news. For those with an active Express Entry profile, this was a week of significant activity. IRCC held not one, but two targeted draws, issuing thousands of Invitations to Apply (ITAs). Beyond Express Entry, we saw continued action from the provinces and important policy updates for students and business immigrants. Let's get straight into the details.
The Main Event: Back-to-Back Express Entry Draws
After a period of anticipation, IRCC delivered two major draws on consecutive days, targeting candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Draw 1: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Date: July 7, 2025
Invitations Issued: 356
Minimum CRS Score: 750
Tie-breaking rule: March 19, 2025 at 04:09:09 UTC
This draw specifically targeted candidates who have already received a nomination from a Canadian province. A provincial nomination grants an additional 600 points to a candidate's CRS score, which is why the minimum score for this draw is significantly higher. This continues the trend of IRCC regularly inviting candidates with strong ties to specific provinces.
Draw 2: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Date: July 8, 2025
Invitations Issued: 3,000
Minimum CRS Score: 518
Tie-breaking rule: October 02, 2024 at 01:48:36 UTC
This was a substantial draw for candidates with at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada. A CRS score of 518 is a notable decrease from the previous CEC-only draw on June 26, which had a cut-off of 521. This is excellent news for in-Canada applicants, suggesting that IRCC is actively working through the pool of candidates with Canadian experience to meet its immigration targets.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) News
The provinces also had an active week outside of the Express Entry-aligned draws.
British Columbia: The BC PNP held draws for its Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) Base and Regional streams, issuing up to 17 invitations to prospective business owners.
Manitoba: The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) issued 67 Letters of Advice to Apply through its Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Worker Overseas streams.
Other Key IRCC Announcements
Beyond the invitation rounds, IRCC made several important announcements:
Increased Financial Requirements for International Students: As of September 1, 2025, international students will be required to demonstrate they have $22,895 in available funds, in addition to their first year of tuition and travel costs.
New Stream for Agriculture and Fish Processing Workers: A new, dedicated immigration pathway is being developed to help address labor shortages in the agriculture and fish processing sectors.
Consultations on the International Student Program: The government is launching consultations this summer to review and refine the policies surrounding international student visas.
Reduced Immigration Targets for 2025: A reminder that Canada's overall immigration targets for 2025 have been reduced, making it more important than ever for candidates to have a strong and accurate profile.
Business Immigration & Start-up Visa: Higher Standards Ahead
IRCC is signaling a move towards stricter requirements for business immigration programs. Applicants for the C-11 Entrepreneur Work Permit and the Start-up Visa will now need to demonstrate "proven traction" and "measurable innovation." This indicates a shift away from purely speculative business ideas towards those with demonstrated potential and results.
What to Expect in the Coming Week
More Express Entry Draws?: After two draws in one week, the schedule is less predictable. IRCC could revert to its bi-weekly pattern, or we could see another category-based draw targeting specific occupations like Healthcare, STEM, or Trades. Candidates should ensure their profiles are up-to-date.
Ongoing PNP Activity: Provincial draws will continue as provinces work to meet their nomination quotas for the year.
Immigration Tip of the Week
Did you know? Immigration is the primary driver of Canada's population growth. According to the 2021 Census, one in four people in Canada is foreign-born. Projections indicate that by 2041, immigrants could represent between 29.1% and 34.0% of Canada's population. This highlights the vital role that newcomers play in shaping the country's future.
From the Elgin Immigration Blog
For more in-depth information on some of the topics covered this week, check out these articles from our blog:
Stay informed, stay prepared, and we'll see you next week with another update!
Comments