We hope you had a great August! As summer winds down, Canada’s immigration landscape continues to see important changes. Here’s a quick, friendly update on the key developments this month:
1. Express Entry Pool Update
The number of candidates in the 501–600 CRS range has grown significantly, making competition tougher. If you’re in this range, now’s the time to keep documents ready in case an invitation comes your way.
2. Express Entry Draws in August
Here’s a breakdown of the invitations issued this month:
August 19, 2025 – Healthcare and Social Services Occupations
2,500 invitations | CRS cut-off: 470
August 18, 2025 – Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
192 invitations | CRS cut-off: 800
August 8, 2025 – French Language Proficiency
2,500 invitations | CRS cut-off: 481
August 7, 2025 – Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
1,000 invitations | CRS cut-off: 534
August 6, 2025 – Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
225 invitations | CRS cut-off: 739
3. New Medical Exam Requirement
Starting August 21, all Express Entry applicants must complete an upfront medical exam when applying for permanent residence. (Don’t worry—if you applied before this date, you’re not affected.)
4. Saskatchewan Gets More PR Slots
The province received 1,136 additional spots, bringing its total to nearly 4,800 nominations this year. A large portion will go to healthcare, agriculture, trucking, and retail workers.
5. New Language Test Option
IRCC will soon accept TOEFL Essentials for permanent residence applications adding another option alongside IELTS and CELPIP.
What This Means for You
- If you’re in the Express Entry pool, consider updating your profile and ensuring you’re competitive.
- If you’re preparing to apply, plan ahead for the upfront medical exam requirement.
- If you have French skills or work in healthcare or essential trades, you may benefit from category-based draws.
We’re here to help!
If you’d like a personalized assessment of your profile or need support preparing for these changes feel free to reach out.
