Express Entry Draw #386 – 399 PNP Candidates Invited on December 15, 2025

Key Takeaways for Express Entry Candidates from the December 15, 2025 Draw 

• Type of Draw: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) 

• Invitations Issued: 399 

• CRS Score (Lowest Ranked Candidate): 731 

• Rank Needed: 399 or above 

• Tie-Breaking Rule: October 18, 2025 at 7:18:52 UTC 

• Prediction for Next Draw: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) 

Our Analysis of This Express Entry Draw 

On December 15, 2025, IRCC held a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw and invited 399 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 731. 

This draw was much smaller than the record-breaking December 8 PNP draw, which invited 1,123 candidates. However, the CRS score changed very little, since candidates with a provincial nomination receive an extra 600 CRS points, keeping PNP cut-off scores high regardless of draw size. 

The timing of this draw matters too. Coming just seven days after the last PNP round, IRCC may be trying to wrap up the year strong and head into 2026 with a clean slate or squeezing in an extra week of draws before the holidays. Either way, it’s encouraging news for anyone in the Express Entry pool. 

It also fits nicely into a busy December. Earlier this month, IRCC invited 6,000 CEC candidates on December 10 and 1,000 healthcare workers on December 11. These large draws helped reduce the number of people with scores above 500 CRS (from 28,206 on December 7 to 22,182 on December 15). 

Overall, this draw shows that IRCC is steadily moving through PNP candidates and keeping Express Entry activity strong heading into 2026. We’re now betting on whether we will see any other draws this week.  

What To Expect in PNP Draws Next 

With IRCC breaking its usual two-week pattern, with next week being the expected draw week, the December 15 round is likely the last PNP draw of 2025, unless another round is squeezed in before the year ends. 

Looking ahead, the outlook for 2026 is encouraging. Higher provincial nomination allocations mean provinces will have more room to nominate candidates, which is good news for anyone considering a PNP pathway. Unlike other draw types, PNP draws in 2025 have been more consistent and predictable, with CRS scores staying in the high 600s to low 700s. 

However, based on recent IRCC data, around 10,700 Express Entry–aligned PNP applications are waiting to be processed, along with roughly 96,000 non–Express Entry PNP applications. So, while PNPs are expected to play a larger role in 2026, IRCC also have a large backlog to work through. 

Further Resources for PNP Candidates 

For more information:

• Track PNPs with our Live PNP tracker 
• Learn more about PNPs in our beginner’s guide