Canada Issues 399 PNP Invitations, CRS Score Drops to 731
Canada Issues 399 Invitations in Latest Express Entry Draw
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada held Express Entry draw #386 on December 15, 2025. The draw issued 399 Invitations to Apply to candidates nominated under the Provincial Nominee Program.
This PNP-targeted round required a minimum CRS score of 731. That marks an increase of 2 points from the previous PNP draw held earlier in December.
The tie-breaking rule applied to candidates who created their Express Entry profiles before October 18, 2025, at 7:18:52 UTC.
This draw marked the second consecutive week in which IRCC focused on PNP candidates. The pattern reinforces the federal government’s reliance on provincial nominations to meet labour and demographic priorities.
Why Express Entry Draw #386 Matters
PNP candidates continue to dominate high-CRS selections for one simple reason. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points to a candidate’s profile.
As of December 15, 237,302 profiles were registered in the Express Entry pool. This makes competition intense for non-nominated applicants.
In 2025, Canada conducted 56 Express Entry draws and issued 102,998 ITAs overall. Of these invitations, 10,898 went to PNP candidates. The numbers show how provincial pathways remain one of the most dependable routes to permanent residence.
CRS Trends and PNP Demand
A CRS threshold of 731 confirms that provincial nominations remain highly competitive. While Express Entry includes CEC, French-language, and occupation-based rounds, PNP draws continue to deliver consistent outcomes for candidates aligned with provincial labour needs.
This draw followed several significant selection rounds. A healthcare and social services draw took place on December 11. The largest CEC draw in over 16 months occurred on December 10. The largest PNP draw of the year happened on December 8.
Together, these rounds indicate IRCC’s year-end strategy to balance regional demand with federal targets.
What This Means for Skilled Workers
For candidates without a nomination, CRS scores above 700 remain difficult to achieve. This makes provincial immigration strategies essential, especially for those working in healthcare, trades, technology, or regional labour markets.
Applicants should consider monitoring PNP streams aligned with their occupation. Maintaining updated Express Entry profiles helps candidates stay ready for upcoming draws. Preparing documents early allows applicants to meet short timelines when invitations arrive.
PNP-focused draws are expected to remain a core feature of Express Entry into early 2026. Provinces continue to play a major role in selecting candidates who can settle quickly and contribute economically.
Express Entry draw #386, with 399 invitations, confirms the ongoing importance of provincial nominations in Canada’s immigration system. As competition remains high, candidates who align their profiles with provincial needs will continue to have a stronger advantage.
