Canada’s Express Entry system delivered an unexpected Tuesday-night shake-up on 25 November 2025, inviting 777 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates to apply for permanent residence. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off fell to 699—its lowest PNP-specific threshold in nine months—highlighting Ottawa’s shift toward regional selection under the 2026 Immigration Levels Plan.
The draw is notable for its size and timing. PNP rounds usually occur on Mondays; IRCC moved this iteration to Tuesday, stoking speculation about a revamped cadence. The invitation count is the second-highest PNP total this year, surpassed only by the 14 April draw that issued 825 ITAs. The lower CRS score reflects surging provincial nomination activity as provinces race to use their 2025 quota before year-end.
![Express Entry: Second-Largest PNP Draw of 2025 Issues 777 ITAs]()
For employers, the draw underscores the growing importance of provincial pathways. PNP nominees already possess a provincial endorsement aligned with local labour needs, reducing relocation risk for companies hiring outside major urban centres. Talent-acquisition teams should track each province’s nomination streams—many target specific professions or in-province experience—to maximise recruitment pipelines ahead of 2026, when PNP admissions will rise to more than 91,000.
Candidates without a provincial nomination saw no movement this week, but analysts expect a Canadian Experience Class draw within days, based on recent sequencing. Regardless, the latest results reinforce that Express Entry is no longer a one-size-fits-all game; strategic provincial engagement is fast becoming essential for both employers and applicants.
Mobility managers should update offer-letter templates to reflect faster processing timelines—PNP candidates often receive confirmation of permanent residence within six months—and review relocation allowances, as many provincial streams impose settlement-fund or residency-obligation conditions.
The draw is notable for its size and timing. PNP rounds usually occur on Mondays; IRCC moved this iteration to Tuesday, stoking speculation about a revamped cadence. The invitation count is the second-highest PNP total this year, surpassed only by the 14 April draw that issued 825 ITAs. The lower CRS score reflects surging provincial nomination activity as provinces race to use their 2025 quota before year-end.
For employers, the draw underscores the growing importance of provincial pathways. PNP nominees already possess a provincial endorsement aligned with local labour needs, reducing relocation risk for companies hiring outside major urban centres. Talent-acquisition teams should track each province’s nomination streams—many target specific professions or in-province experience—to maximise recruitment pipelines ahead of 2026, when PNP admissions will rise to more than 91,000.
Candidates without a provincial nomination saw no movement this week, but analysts expect a Canadian Experience Class draw within days, based on recent sequencing. Regardless, the latest results reinforce that Express Entry is no longer a one-size-fits-all game; strategic provincial engagement is fast becoming essential for both employers and applicants.
Mobility managers should update offer-letter templates to reflect faster processing timelines—PNP candidates often receive confirmation of permanent residence within six months—and review relocation allowances, as many provincial streams impose settlement-fund or residency-obligation conditions.
