On December 8, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released the results of the first Express Entry draw of the month.
This latest round issued 1,123 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
It is the largest PNP-specific Express Entry draw of 2025, reflecting the federal government’s strong push to expand provincial immigration targets, as outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan introduced in early November 2025.
With a minimum CRS cut-off of 729, the draw continued the trend of low-scoring, nomination-based selections that have shaped Canada’s Express Entry strategy throughout late 2025.
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Below is a full summary of the draw, who received invitations, what the results mean for candidates still in the pool, and how the draw connects to Canada’s shifting immigration priorities.
Full Details: Express Entry Draw for December 8, 2025
Program: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Date: December 8, 2025
Lowest CRS score invited: 729
Number of ITAs issued: 1,123
Rank required: 1,123 or higher
Tie-breaking rule: March 5, 2025 at 05:10:48
If several candidates had the same CRS score, IRCC applied the tie-breaking rule, giving priority to candidates who submitted their Express Entry profile earlier.
Who Received an Invitation
Every invited candidate had an approved provincial nomination.
This means:
- Their base Express Entry CRS score was at least 129
- A provincial nomination added 600 CRS points to their score
- Their total CRS score reached 729 or higher
In simple terms, any candidate with a valid Express Entry profile, a general CRS score of 129 or more, and an active provincial nomination was selected.
This confirms that the December 8 draw focused entirely on provincially selected skilled workers aligned with regional labor market needs.
Latest CRS Score Distribution in the Pool
IRCC also released an updated CRS distribution snapshot the day before the draw. The figures show all active profiles in each CRS range.
| CRS Score Range | Candidates |
|---|---|
| 601 to 1200 | 1,110 |
| 501 to 600 | 27,096 |
| 451 to 500 | 68,679 |
| 491 to 500 | 12,445 |
| 481 to 490 | 12,303 |
| 471 to 480 | 14,851 |
| 461 to 470 | 14,351 |
| 451 to 460 | 14,729 |
| 401 to 450 | 66,302 |
| 441 to 450 | 13,844 |
| 431 to 440 | 14,166 |
| 421 to 430 | 12,613 |
| 411 to 420 | 12,193 |
| 401 to 410 | 13,486 |
| 351 to 400 | 52,344 |
| 301 to 350 | 18,799 |
| 0 to 300 | 8,049 |
| Total | 242,379 |
What Happens Next for Invited Candidates
Candidates who received an ITA on December 8 now have 60 days to:
- Submit a complete permanent residence application
- Provide police certificates, medical exams, proof of funds if required, and employment documentation
- Confirm that their provincial nomination remains valid
Most PNP-linked Express Entry applications continue to follow a standard six-month processing target.
Key Takeaways from the First December Draw
This draw highlights three major trends in Canada’s immigration system:
- Provincial nominations continue to dominate Express Entry selections.
- Candidates without nominations should prepare for category-based draws rather than general Canadian Experience Class draws.
- As Canada prioritizes in-country transitions, regional labor needs, and targeted selection, provincial programs have become the primary pathway to permanent residence.
