On October 14, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted Express Entry Draw #372, issuing 345 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream.
The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 778, with the tie-breaking rule set at July 17, 2025, at 19:58:49 UTC.
This draw reinforces the continued significance of provincial nominations in Canada’s immigration system and reflects the country’s strategy to attract skilled workers aligned with local labour market needs.
Express Entry Draw #372 – Key Highlights
| Detail | Information |
| Date of Draw | October 14, 2025 |
| Draw Type / Stream | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) |
| Number of Invitations Issued | 345 |
| Minimum CRS Cut-Off | 778 |
| Tie-Breaking Rule | July 17, 2025, at 19:58:49 UTC |
What This Draw Reveals
1. High CRS Cut-Off Reflects Strong Competition
A CRS score of 778 is among the highest in recent PNP draws. While a provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, candidates still need a strong base CRS—typically above 178—to remain competitive. This shows that even among nominated applicants, IRCC continues to prioritize profiles with strong education, experience, and language proficiency.
2. Moderate but Strategic Draw Size
The 345 ITAs issued represent a mid-sized draw for the PNP stream. This number suggests that IRCC is carefully managing intake volumes to maintain balance between category-based draws, CEC rounds, and PNP nominations, while avoiding backlogs.
3. PNP’s Rising Role in 2025 Immigration Targets
Provincial Nominee Programs continue to play a central role in Canada’s permanent residency system. According to the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, PNPs are projected to account for over 36% of total economic immigration admissions – surpassing even the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
This draw aligns perfectly with that focus, showcasing IRCC’s effort to distribute skilled talent across provinces and meet regional labour shortages in key industries such as healthcare, construction, manufacturing, trades, and IT.
PNP Draw Trends: August to October 2025
| Draw # | Date | Invitations | CRS Cut-Off | Trend |
| #366 | Sept 15, 2025 | 228 | 746 | Small draw, moderate cutoff |
| #369 | Sept 29, 2025 | 291 | 855 | Sharp increase in cutoff |
| #372 | Oct 14, 2025 | 345 | 778 | Cutoff drops slightly but remains high |
Trend Insight:
The CRS cutoff remains volatile in PNP-specific draws, fluctuating between 746 and 855. However, the latest round at 778 indicates a stabilization – a “sweet spot” between competitive selection and manageable processing capacity.
Understanding the Importance of PNP
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows Canada’s provinces and territories to nominate immigrants who meet specific local labour and demographic needs. It offers applicants:
- 600 additional CRS points, effectively guaranteeing an ITA in the next PNP draw.
- Access to province-specific programs such as:
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
- Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
- BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
- Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
- Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
- Opportunities to settle in regions facing critical labour shortages, ensuring long-term employability and integration.
For many applicants, especially those with CRS scores between 400 – 500, the PNP route is the most effective way to secure permanent residency.
What This Draw Means for Candidates
If You Already Have a Nomination
Congratulations – you’re among the most competitive candidates in the Express Entry pool. With 600 additional CRS points, your nomination nearly guarantees an invitation, provided your documents are complete and valid. Ensure you:
- Keep your Express Entry profile active and updated.
- Submit your application within 60 days of receiving your ITA.
- Double-check your documentation, especially proof of work experience, education credentials, and language results.
If You’re Seeking a Provincial Nomination
Now is the ideal time to explore your options. You can:
- Review provincial streams that match your skills, education, and work experience.
- Monitor occupation-in-demand lists, as many provinces update them quarterly.
- Register an Expression of Interest (EOI) with multiple provinces to increase your chances of selection.
- Strengthen your profile with improved language test scores and valid job offers if possible.
If You’re Below the Cutoff
Even without a nomination, you can still boost your competitiveness:
- Gain additional work experience in skilled NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 positions.
- Pursue further education or certifications in Canada.
- Consider bilingualism (especially French) to qualify for language-based category draws.
- Explore employer-driven PNP streams, which often have more flexible criteria.
Why CRS Scores for PNP Draws Are So High
Several factors explain the consistently elevated CRS scores for PNP-specific rounds:
- Smaller invitation pools – IRCC limits PNP draws to high-quality profiles.
- Growing number of nominated candidates – Provinces are nominating more skilled workers, raising the overall quality of the pool.
- Tighter alignment with labour priorities – Provinces focus on applicants with verifiable experience in high-demand sectors.
This combination keeps PNP cutoffs high but ensures the quality of candidates aligns with provincial and national workforce needs.
How Earnest Immigration Can Help
At Earnest Immigration, our mission is to help you turn opportunity into residency. Whether you’re seeking a nomination or navigating the Express Entry process, our team of licensed consultants can:
- Identify the best provincial nomination programs for your specific profile.
- Evaluate your CRS and help you boost it through language, education, and experience optimization.
- Guide you through application preparation, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
- Advise on alternate PR pathways, including category-based draws and in-demand occupations.
Get in touch with Earnest Immigration today to determine your eligibility for a PNP nomination and create a strategy tailored to your career and immigration goals.
