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On April 28, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted Express Entry Draw #343, issuing 421 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
This draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 727, marking a decrease from the previous PNP-specific draw on April 14, which had a cutoff of 764 and issued 825 ITAs .
Key Details of the April 28, 2025 Draw
• Draw Type: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
• Number of ITAs Issued: 421
• Minimum CRS Score: 727
• Tie-Breaking Rule: Profiles submitted before September 9, 2024, at 17:11:19 UTC
• Draw Number: 343
• Date and Time of Draw: April 28, 2025, at 14:18:27 UTC
Candidates with a provincial nomination receive an additional 600 points added to their CRS score, significantly enhancing their chances of receiving an ITA. Despite this advantage, the number of ITAs issued in this draw was the smallest for a PNP-specific round since January 5, 2022, when 392 candidates were invited .
This draw continues the trend in 2025 of IRCC focusing on PNP-specific draws, with no all-program or Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws conducted in April. The emphasis on PNP candidates aligns with Canada's strategy to address regional labor market needs and support provincial economic growth.
As of April 28, 2025, the Express Entry pool comprises 246,673 candidates, with a notable number having CRS scores above 600 due to provincial nominations. However, a provincial nomination alone does not guarantee an ITA, as candidates still need to meet the CRS cutoff and tie-breaking criteria .
Looking ahead, IRCC is expected to continue its focus on PNP and category-based draws, reflecting Canada's commitment to targeted immigration strategies that support specific regional and economic objectives.
Source :- https://immigrationnewscanada.ca/second-express-entry-draw-of-april-2025/
