Express Entry Draw 336: 646 Candidates Invited for Canadian PR
The most recent Express Entry draw (#336) was held on February 17, 2025, targeting applicants who were nominated under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Invitations were given to a total of 646 candidates invited for Canadian PR individuals to apply for permanent residency in Canada.
Key Details of the Latest Draw
- Type of draw: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Invitations issued: 646
- Minimum CRS score: 750
- Tie-breaking rule: Candidates who applied before July 23, 2024, at 17:41:11 UTC were given priority.
- Next expected draw: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) on February 18, 2025
What Does This Mean for You?
If you received an invitation, now is the time to start your PR application process. Asif Consulting is here for guides, checklists, and expert advice to make your transition smoother.
Trends in Recent Express Entry Draws
Declining CRS Cut-off Scores
The minimum CRS score has been decreasing in recent PNP draws:
- January 7, 2025: 793
- February 4, 2025: 802
- February 17, 2025: 750
This suggests that PNP selection is slightly less competitive than before. However, the reason might be that more candidates are receiving nominations, increasing the number of invitations.
Increase in Invitations
- January 7, 2025: 471 invitations
- February 4, 2025: 455 invitations
- February 17, 2025: 646 invitations
More candidates are getting PNP invitations, possibly due to provinces nominating more candidates as the year progresses.
More Frequent Draws
- January: Only one PNP draw (471 invitations)
- February: Already two draws, totaling 1,101 invitations
This could mean that bi-weekly PNP draws may return as a regular pattern.
Comparison with Other Express Entry Draws in 2025
PNP vs. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
So far in 2025:
- PNP invitations: 1,572 (3 draws)
- CEC invitations: 9,350 (3 draws)
CEC draws are seeing more invitations than PNP draws. This may be because IRCC is prioritizing CEC candidates, especially those already in Canada. The latest Immigration Levels Plan also suggests that Canada is focusing on local candidates over provincial nominees.
However, later in the year, this gap may shrink if provinces get more nomination slots.
No Category-Based Draws Yet
The 2025 Immigration Plan reserves over 41,000 spots for candidates in Healthcare, Trades, and French-language categories. However, no category-based draws have happened yet this year. These draws may start soon, possibly by the end of February.
Learning about the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) & Express Entry
Canada’s Express Entry is an accelerated process for skilled workers to gain permanent residence. After being invited, you apply for PR, and IRCC takes around six months to process it—far quicker than other routes such as family sponsorship, which can take up to 24 months.
How Does PNP Work?
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) permits provinces to choose applicants according to their needs in the labor market. Some PNP streams are linked to Express Entry, while others operate separately.
Want to explore your PNP options, our experts are here to identify the best pathway for you.
Stay Updated on Express Entry Draws
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Good luck with your Express Entry application!
