Immigration Boom in Canada: August – Early September 2025 : Thousands of invitations for PR from Express Entry and PNP!

August and early September 2025 became record-breaking for Canadian immigration. Several provinces and territories held large draws, while the federal Express Entry system continued active rounds for Francophones, CEC, and candidates with nominations. Manitoba stood out with support for Ukrainians, Ontario with targeted draws for medical workers and caregivers, Alberta with the largest draw of the year, while Yukon and the Northwest Territories received additional quotas.

For us, it is important that in these rounds many candidates, including clients of Maple Immigration Chronicles (MIC), who were waiting for news on their Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) cases, got the opportunity to switch to economic programs and apply for PR. For many, this became an unexpected chance, as they had almost lost hope!

General statistics of draws and quotas (August – early September 2025)

📌 In total, during August–early September more than 15,000 invitations (ITA/LAA) were issued through federal and provincial channels.
📌 The largest draws — in Express Entry for Francophones (4500 ITA) and in Manitoba (3347 LAA).
📌 Significant additional quotas were received by Saskatchewan, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories, giving new chances for economic immigration.

Express Entry

In the first days of September, three rounds were held:

✅ In total, in 2025 already 34 draws were held and more than 57,000 ITA issued, and in the Express Entry pool there are more than 254,000 profiles. This indicates record demand and shows that without a provincial nomination or French language, CRS is often too high to pass in general draws.

Manitoba

On September 4 in Draw #253, 3347 invitations were issued:

• 1466 – to citizens of Ukraine (Skilled Worker in Manitoba);
• 1866 – International Education Stream;
• 15 – in strategic initiatives (min. score 844).

📌 415 candidates simultaneously had an Express Entry profile.

This draw once again confirms: Manitoba remains the leader in supporting Ukrainians, as well as actively attracting graduates of local educational institutions. This makes the province one of the most attractive destinations for those seeking a stable path to PR.

Ontario

September 2 – draw for medical workers and caregivers (NOC 42202):

• 2643 invitations;
• minimum scores: Foreign Worker – 41+, International Student – 58+, In-Demand Skills – 33+.

September 3 – draw in various sectors:

• 1893 invitations;
• minimum scores: Foreign Worker – 42+, International Student – 63+.

📌 All applications are now submitted through the Employer Portal.

Ontario demonstrates: priority is in medical professions, caregivers, and shortage sectors of the economy. This is logical, as the province has the largest population and acutely feels the shortage of qualified staff.

Alberta

Between August 7–15 the province held three draws (total 683 invitations):

• Alberta Opportunity Stream – 581 (min. score 70);
• Health Care Pathway (non-Express Entry) – 39 (min. 53);
• Health Care Pathway (Express Entry) – 63 (min. 56).

As of mid-August Alberta had used 3251 nominations out of 4875, leaving more than 1600 places.

This was the largest draw of the year, clearly showing the province’s demand for temporary foreign workers and medical professionals.

Saskatchewan

The province received +1136 nominations (total 4761 in 2025).

• 25% of additional places – in transport, hospitality, and retail;
• 75% – in medicine, agriculture, and skilled trades.

Among new rules – closure of entrepreneurial streams and changes in the Student Category.

This means the provincial government concentrates resources on key sectors of the economy.

British Columbia: draws in summer and late August

• Entrepreneur Immigration (Business channel):
  • July 8, 2025 – 16 invitations (Base – min. 121 points; Regional – min. 115).
  • Aug 19, 2025 – 11 invitations through Base Stream (min. 124) and less than 5 through Regional Stream (min. 115).
  • In total from the beginning of the year up to this moment, no more than 70 ITA in this stream were issued.

It is not hard to notice: although these are not giant numbers, such draws are loud and strategic, especially for entrepreneurial candidates. They show that the business channel remains an important immigration tool, even under significant quota cuts.

Quebec

On August 14 the first draw was held in the Regulated Professions stream (PSTQ):

• 275 invitations;
• minimum 766 points;
• requirement to reside in Quebec, work in a regulated profession, and have knowledge of French (oral – level 7, written – level 5).

This draw became landmark: Quebec began highlighting regulated professions as a strategic direction for its economy.

Northwest Territories

In August 2025 IRCC approved an increase of the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) quota by +47 places, bringing the annual limit to 197 nominations.

This is an important decision, since in 2024 the quota was almost halved, and then all places were used for the first time in the program’s history. Demand was confirmed both in the Employer-Driven Stream (for foreigners with a job offer in the region) and in the Francophone Stream, which actively supports French-speaking professionals.

In addition, the Business Stream remains in force, oriented towards entrepreneurs ready to open or buy a business in the region. This direction is critically important for economic development and job creation.

📌 In this draw, many candidates, including MIC clients, who had long been waiting for a decision on H&C, got the chance to switch to economic programs and apply for PR.

Yukon

On August 21 Yukon received +67 places (total 282 in 2025).

• In May 153 ITA were issued, including for Francophones, graduates of local universities, and medical workers.
• After refusals there remained 80 ITA for issuance in August–September.

Yukon for the first time switched to the EOI system, which confirmed high demand: more than 500 applications from employers in just the first intake.

Conclusions

Canada is strengthening the targeted approach:

• Manitoba supports Ukrainians and students.
• Ontario focuses on medical workers and caregivers.
• Alberta holds the largest draws of the year.
• Saskatchewan and Yukon received additional quotas for stability.
• Quebec for the first time highlighted regulated professions.
• Express Entry remains the main tool for Francophones and candidates with Canadian experience.

📌 For candidates this means one thing: immigration strategy in 2025 must be maximally flexible – oriented towards provincial programs, with confirmation of language and professional skills, and readiness to react to rapid changes.

Strategic Conclusion

This situation confirms: an effective immigration strategy must be diverse and cover several streams simultaneously.

Dependence only on one option, for example the humanitarian program, can drag out the process and deprive chances at a critical moment. Economic immigration — through PNP, Express Entry, or business streams — remains the most stable and predictable path to obtaining permanent residence.