June debuts first Express Entry draw through provincial nomination

On June 2, 2025, the Canadian government invited new candidates for permanent residence through the Express Entry system in a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) lottery. The number of invitations (ITAs) issued was 277 and the minimum CRS score to be selected was 726.

In this blog, I will give more details of this sweepstakes and give a recap of what was the migration dynamics of May. Read with me to the end and stay updated on the trend that has set the fast track entry to Canada and the CRS score. Let's get started.

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Express Entry Sweepstakes #348 

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The first draw for June 2025 was held on the 2nd at 17:04:42 UTC through the Provincial Nomination Program:

• Number of invitations issued: 277.
• CRS score of the lowest rated invited candidate: 726.
• Tie-breaker rule: September 24, 2024 at 15:46:19 UTC.

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For selection, candidates were required to have created an Express Entry profile by 3:46 p.m. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on September 24, 2024.

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May 2025 recap: a dynamic month in Canadian immigration

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May was quite a dynamic month in the Canadian immigration system, particularly with multiple Express Entry draws, adjustments in provincial nominations, change of ministers and also immigration projections.

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Summary of Express Entry drawings for May:

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• Drawing #347 on May 13, with 500 ITAs issued under the Canadian Experience Category (CEC) and a minimum required CRS score of 547.
• Draw #346 on May 12 with 511 ITAs issued through Provincial Nomination and a minimum required CRS score of 706.
• Drawing #345 on May 2 for healthcare professionals with 500 ITAs issued and a minimum CRS score of 510.
• Drawing #344 on May 1 for education professionals, with 1000 ITAs issued and a minimum required score of 479.

Also in May, Canada unveiled a new immigration minister, Lena Metlege Diab, who will be responsible for directing immigration policy under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose focus is on:

• Adjust permanent immigration levels to ensure sustainable growth.
• Strengthen economic immigration, facilitating the arrival of skilled workers and increase French-speaking immigration, promoting bilingualism in Canada.

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More Express Entry sweepstakes for the Provincial Nominee Program

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This 2025, there have been more draws for provincial nominations than for other programs, such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and categories such as Francophonie and the health and education sectors. Why?

The main reason why Canada has focused more on the Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is due to the decentralization strategy of immigration. So, while the initial projection was to prioritize those already in Canada, the government is strengthening the role of the provinces in immigrant selection, allowing them to choose candidates that best fit their economic and employment needs.

These are the factors that have influenced the increase in PNP invitations:

• Provincial autonomy: since the provinces have the ability to nominate candidates that meet their specific requirements, allowing them to attract qualified workers in strategic sectors. 
• Regional labor shortages: Certainly, some provinces have reported a greater need for workers in areas such as construction, manufacturing and technology, which has boosted the number of nominations. For example, Manitoba has recently excelled in its migration dynamics by attracting skilled workers with local experience.
• Higher CRS scores: remember that the provincial nomination automatically awards an additional 600 points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), a huge advantage over other profiles in Express Entry. 
• Reduction of quotas in other categories: although it was expected that there would be more invitations for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and sectors such as health, education and francophone, the number of ITAs in these categories has been lower due to adjustments in immigration policy and the reduction of permanent residency targets.

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Current Express Entry trend

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While the initial focus was to select those already in Canada, the current trend favors those who achieve a provincial nomination. This means that candidates seeking permanent residency should have a plan in place that considers provincial programs to improve their chances of receiving an invitation, as well as knowing, now more than ever, their CRS score and determining whether they qualify for permanent residency through Express Entry.

Remember that the higher your score, the better your chances of receiving an invitation.

How do you know if your score is competitive? The best way to know your eligibility is to use a CRS calculator, which allows you to estimate your score and detect your areas of improvement in terms of studies, languages, among others.

At Immiland, we launched a very useful tool to calculate CRS score and assess eligibility for permanent residency. Explore Immiland Canada's CRS Calculator.

If you would like an Immiland Canada regulated consultant to handle your immigration case, click here. click here and choose Schedule a Free Consultation or Free Evaluation.

I hope this topic has been of interest to you and that you successfully apply for permanent residence through the fast track to Canada: Express Entry. 

Thank you for reading us.

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With love, 

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Immiland Canada