August 6, 2025 Express Entry Draw: What Temporary Residents in Canada Need to Know
- Ansari Immigration
- Aug 8
- 5 min read
Introduction: This Draw Was More Than Just Numbers
If you’re living in Canada on a work permit, post-graduation work permit, or another temporary status, your ultimate goal might be clear: permanent residency. The pathway from temporary to permanent status often runs through Express Entry, and every draw tells us something important about your chances.
On August 6, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-specific draw that invited 225 candidates with a CRS cut-off score of 739. At first glance, this might seem like just another data point — but in the context of 2025’s trends, it’s a signal you shouldn’t ignore.
This blog will unpack what happened in the August 6 draw, how it fits into this year’s broader immigration trends, and most importantly, what you can do now if you want to turn your time in Canada into permanent residency.
Express Entry August 6, 2025 Draw at a Glance
Draw type: PNP-specific
Number of ITAs issued: 225
Minimum CRS score: 739
Tie-breaker date: April 23, 2025, at 06:35:51 UTC
Change from last PNP draw: Down 49 points from 788 on July 21
While the drop from 788 to 739 is encouraging, the score is still well above what most candidates can achieve without a provincial nomination. For many temporary residents, that means looking seriously at PNP streams could be a game-changer.
The 2025 Express Entry Landscape: More Competitive Than Ever
To understand the August 6 draw, we need to zoom out. By the end of July 2025, IRCC had conducted 27 draws, roughly on par with previous years in terms of frequency, but fewer invitations have been issued overall.
ITAs issued from January to July:
2025: ~49,400 ITAs
2024: ~62,600 ITAs
2023: ~69,100 ITAs
Draw type breakdown in 2025 so far:
PNP: 13 draws (~6,053 ITAs)
CEC: 7 draws (~18,850 ITAs)
French-language proficiency: 3 draws (~18,500 ITAs)
Healthcare occupations: 3 draws (~5,000 ITAs)
With fewer invitations and more targeted draws, CRS cut-offs have stayed high across the board. The competition is especially strong for PNP-specific rounds, where most invitees already have a 600-point boost from their nomination.
Why This Draw Matters for Temporary Residents in Canada
If you’re already in Canada, you have certain advantages — but you also face unique challenges in 2025’s Express Entry environment.
1. Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Your Most Direct Path
The CEC stream is designed for people with at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada. It’s often the most straightforward route for temporary residents.
Latest CEC draw: August 7, 2025 — 1,000 ITAs, CRS cut-off 534
Typical 2025 competitive range: 520–540 CRS
Why it’s attractive: No settlement funds required, faster processing times, and your Canadian work experience weighs heavily in your CRS score.
How to strengthen your CEC profile:
Retake your language test if you’re close to the next Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level — even a small increase can add points.
Add educational credentials you may not have claimed yet (via an Educational Credential Assessment).
Maintain skilled work status and accumulate additional experience to reach the next CRS tier.
2. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): The 600-Point Boost
For those who qualify, a provincial nomination can almost guarantee an ITA in the next draw.
Nomination value: +600 CRS points
PNP streams to watch in 2025:
Ontario Human Capital Priorities — especially for tech roles
BC PNP Tech — regular draws for in-demand tech occupations
Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway — for candidates with Alberta job offers
Saskatchewan Occupations in Demand & Express Entry — diverse occupational lists
Why PNP is critical in 2025: With fewer “all-program” draws, PNP nominations have become one of the most reliable ways to secure an invitation.
PNP strategy for temporary residents:
Target provinces where you have work or study ties.
Monitor in-demand occupation lists closely.
Apply even if your CRS without nomination is lower than recent cut-offs — the nomination changes everything.
3. Category-Based Draws: A Lower CRS Window
Introduced in 2023, category-based draws target specific occupations or skills, often with lower CRS thresholds.
Recent CRS ranges:
Healthcare: 475–510
French-language proficiency: 400–430
Education occupations: ~479
For temporary residents working in these fields, this could be the fastest route to an ITA — even without a PNP nomination.
Why CRS Scores Are Staying High in 2025
Many temporary residents ask: If there are more targeted draws, shouldn’t CRS scores be dropping?
The answer lies in the numbers:
Fewer ITAs overall: Even with targeted draws, the pool remains competitive.
Stronger profiles in the pool: Many candidates have both Canadian experience and high language scores.
Limited PNP nominations: Provinces have reduced quotas compared to 2024.
This combination has kept CRS cut-offs for most draws higher than many expected at the start of the year.
Predictions for the Rest of the Year
Looking ahead, here’s what we expect:
August
3–4 more draws likely.
Expect one more CEC-specific round.
At least one category-based draw, possibly in healthcare.
September–December
CEC cut-offs may dip into the 510–520 range if ITAs increase.
PNP draws will likely stay above 730.
Category-based draws could stay under 500 for healthcare and French-language categories.
For temporary residents, this means staying flexible — and ready to pivot between pathways as opportunities open.
What You Should Be Doing Now
If you’re a temporary resident aiming for PR in 2025, here’s your action plan:
Update your Express Entry profile with any new work experience, education, or language results.
Research PNP streams in provinces where you have ties or relevant skills.
Prepare for category-based opportunities by making sure your NOC code, work history, and language scores are accurately reflected.
Keep documents current — police certificates, ECAs, and language test results should be valid and ready to go.
Avoid errors — misrepresentations, even unintentional, can lead to refusals.
Why This Matters
For temporary residents, 2025 is both a challenging and opportunity-filled year. The competition is tougher, but targeted pathways like CEC, PNP, and category-based draws mean that the right strategy can still lead to success — even if your CRS isn’t in the 700s.
The August 6 draw is a reminder that waiting passively in the pool is risky. The candidates who get invited are those who prepare, adapt, and take advantage of every available pathway.
FAQs for Temporary Residents
Q: My CRS is 510. Do I have a chance?Yes. You could still be invited through a CEC or category-based draw, or get a PNP nomination to secure an ITA.
Q: Can I apply to multiple PNPs?Yes, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria for each stream.
Q: Is it worth retaking my language test?Absolutely. For many candidates, a few extra points from language can make the difference.
Q: How fast should I act if I get a PNP nomination?Immediately. You’ll have a short window to accept and update your profile.
Conclusion
The August 6, 2025 Express Entry draw shows that while competition is fierce, opportunities are there for candidates who understand the system and position themselves strategically.
If you’re serious about moving from temporary status to PR, now is the time to act.
Start your profile review now with Ansari Immigration. We’ll help you:
Pinpoint your strongest PR pathway (CEC, PNP, or category-based)
Improve your CRS score strategically
Submit a complete, accurate application
📞 Book your consultation today — your next opportunity could be just one draw away.
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