Published by: Di Leone Group – Canadian Immigration Consultants
Date: December 08, 2025
On December 8, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released the results of the first Express Entry draw of the month—and the news is highly relevant for those seeking a provincial nomination or a more strategic pathway to permanent residency in Canada.
This round, limited exclusively to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), issued 1,123 Invitations to Apply (ITAs), making it the largest PNP-specific draw of the entire year. With a minimum CRS score of 729, Canada continues to show its strong shift toward a provincial selection strategy, giving the provinces a pivotal role in shaping the future of immigration.
Below, we break down what this draw means, who was invited, and how you can prepare if your goal is to immigrate to Canada.
📌 Details of the December 8, 2025 Draw
Program: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Date: December 8, 2025
Minimum CRS score invited: 729
Total ITAs issued: 1,123
Tie-breaking rule: March 5, 2025 – 05:10:48 UTC
This draw was restricted to candidates with an active provincial nomination, reinforcing Canada’s current strategy: prioritizing profiles aligned with the specific labour needs of each province.
🎯 Who Received an Invitation?
To be invited in this round, candidates needed to meet three key criteria:
✔ A valid Express Entry profile
✔ A base CRS score of at least 129
✔ An approved provincial nomination, which automatically adds 600 CRS points
These additional points raised their total CRS scores to 729 or higher, securing an invitation to apply.
In summary:
Any candidate with a valid profile + a base CRS of 129 or more + a provincial nomination received an invitation.
📊 CRS Score Distribution in the Pool Before the Draw
One day prior to the round, IRCC released the updated CRS score distribution for all active profiles in the Express Entry pool:
| CRS Range | Number of Candidates |
|---|---|
| 601–1200 | 1,110 |
| 501–600 | 27,096 |
| 491–500 | 12,445 |
| 481–490 | 12,303 |
| 471–480 | 14,851 |
| 461–470 | 14,351 |
| 451–460 | 14,729 |
| 401–450 | 66,302 |
| 351–400 | 52,344 |
| 301–350 | 18,799 |
| 0–300 | 8,049 |
| Total | 242,379 |
These numbers highlight why provincial nominations have become so decisive: competition remains high, and the number of candidates in mid-range CRS bands continues to grow.
📝 What Should Invited Candidates Do Next?
Candidates who received an ITA now have:
60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application
Applicants must provide:
Police certificates
Medical examination results
Proof of work experience
Proof of funds (if required)
Confirmation that their provincial nomination is still valid
Most PNP-linked Express Entry applications continue to follow the standard six-month processing target.
🔍 What Does This Draw Mean for Candidates Still Waiting?
This draw sends three clear messages to anyone in the pool:
1️⃣ Provincial nominations now dominate the system.
Without a PNP nomination, chances in general rounds remain limited.
2️⃣ Category-based draws are replacing traditional CEC-heavy rounds.
Canada is selecting candidates aligned with labour market priorities, including:
Healthcare
STEM
Skilled trades
Transportation
Francophone candidates
3️⃣ PNPs are no longer optional—they are the main pathway to PR.
Provinces are receiving larger quotas, and provincial pathways have become the most strategic route.
🇨🇦 Want to Know if You Qualify for a Provincial Nomination?
At DileoneGroup, we help you:
✔ Assess your eligibility for a PNP
✔ Improve your CRS score
✔ Strengthen or build a competitive Express Entry profile
✔ Identify provincial programs that match your experience and goals
📲 Book a consultation with our regulated immigration consultants and take your next step toward a future in Canada.