EXPRESS ENTRY DRAWS IN AUGUST 2025 AND POLICY CONSULTATION FOR 2026
On August 6, 2025, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the first Express Entry draw of August for candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), issuing 225 Invitations to Apply (ITA) with a minimum CRS score of 739. To be eligible for this draw, candidates had to create their Express Entry profile before 06:35 UTC on April 23, 2025.
As of now, IRCC has issued a total of 49,628 ITAs in 2025. The draws have primarily focused on the following groups:
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 14 draws
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 7 draws
- French-language proficiency: 3 draws
- Healthcare and social services: 3 draws
- Education: 1 draw
The current draw frequency is every two weeks, alternating between PNP and CEC groups.
From August 6 to September 3, 2025, IRCC is conducting a public consultation regarding the economic priorities in the Express Entry program for 2026. The goal is to gather feedback from the community to adjust priority occupation groups to meet labor demands and support economic growth.
Candidates need at least six months of work experience in one of the identified occupations within the last three years to be eligible.
An important note for candidates:
- For candidates with a low CRS score: Participating in draws for priority occupation groups can be a great opportunity to receive an ITA, even with a lower CRS score.
- For candidates with a high CRS score: PNP and CEC draws remain the main pathways to receive an ITA.
- For candidates with Canadian work experience: The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is the appropriate option.
If you need assistance in identifying the right occupation group for your profile or advice on optimizing your CRS score, feel free to contact AIMMI for detailed support.
Source: https://www.cicnews.com/2025/08/ircc-holds-first-express-entry-draw-of-august-0858106.html https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/transparency/consultations/2025-consultations-express-entry-selection.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/transparency/consultations/2025-consultations-express-entry-selection.html
