This month, we bring you the latest updates from across Canada’s immigration landscape: Express Entry and PNP draws, tech and healthcare pathways, study-to-PR opportunities, and temporary resident trends.

Let’s explore the opportunities and make your pathway to Canada smoother than ever!

In This updates:

1. Express Entry: 345 PNP Candidates Invited in Latest Draw

2. Express Entry: IRCC Invites 2,500 Healthcare Professionals

3. Ontario Invites Over 1,6000 Candidates With Job Offers to              Apply for Provincial Nomination

4. Alberta Holds Three Provincial Immigration Draws, Issues over        1,300 Invitations

5. Northwest Territories Nominee Program Nomination Allocation      Restored to 2024 Levels

6. Ontario Expands ‘As of Right’ Framework for 16 Additional                  Healthcare Professions

7. IRCC Raises Cap for Francophone Study-to-PR Pathway

8. IRCC Updates Express Entry: Upfront Medical Requirement              Enforced

9. Canada Sees Significant Declines in International Student and        Worker Arrivals

1: Express Entry: 345 PNP Candidates Invited in Latest Draw

IRCC has conducted a new Provincial Nominee Program–specific draw under the Express Entry system, issuing 345 Invitations to Apply on October 14, 2025. Candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 778 and must have created their Express Entry profile before July 17, 2025.

This marks the 19th PNP draw of 2025, the most frequent draw type this year, reflecting the government’s continued prioritization of provincial nominees amid reduced PNP allocations in 2024.

With ongoing focus on targeted and PNP draws, IRCC appears to be managing federal quotas while supporting provinces to meet local labour needs.

2: Express Entry: IRCC Invites 2,500 Healthcare Professionals

IRCC has conducted another round of invitations through the Express Entry system, issuing 2,500 Invitations to Apply to candidates in the Healthcare and Social Services category.

To qualify for this draw, candidates required:

• A minimum CRS score of 472, and
• An Express Entry profile created before May 12, 2025.

This marks the fifth Healthcare and Social Services draw held in 2025 and ties with the August 19 draw as the second-largest of its kind, surpassed only by the July 22 draw, which issued 4,000 ITAs to healthcare professionals.

What This Means for Applicants: Canada’s ongoing focus on the Healthcare and Social Services category shows a clear priority to fill labour shortages in critical health sectors.

Healthcare professionals, especially those in nursing, social work, lab sciences, and rehabilitation, should keep their Express Entry profiles active and up to date, monitor future draws as CRS cutoffs may shift, and ensure their NOC codes and licensing details align correctly.

3: Ontario Invites Over 1,6000 Candidates With Job Offers to Apply for Provincial Nomination

Ontario has issued 1,680 invitations to apply for provincial nomination through a series of targeted draws under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.

1590 invitations were issued through the Employer Job Offer streams, and  90 invitations were issued through the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot, focusing on candidates in healthcare, early childhood education, and skilled trades supporting regional growth.

Under the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker, International Student, and In-Demand Skills streams, invitations went to candidates in occupations such as:

• Registered Nurses (31301)

   

• Licensed Practical Nurses (32101)

   

• Early Childhood Educators and Assistants (42202)

   

• Home Support Workers (44101)

   

• Social and Community Service Workers (42201)

   

• Allied Health and Laboratory Professionals (31303)

The REDI pilot additionally targeted professionals in engineering, finance, IT, marketing, and skilled trades, with a special focus on candidates working in rural and regional divisions such as Lambton, Lanark, and Leeds and Grenville.

What This Means for Applicants: This draw reinforces Ontario’s multi-sector hiring strategy, giving strong opportunities to both healthcare workers and skilled professionals willing to work outside major cities.

If you have a valid job offer from an Ontario employer, are residing in Canada, and work in a priority occupation or REDI region, you may have a competitive chance of receiving an invitation under future OINP rounds

4: Alberta Holds Three Provincial Immigration Draws, Issues over 1,300 Invitations

Alberta has conducted three provincial immigration draws within a single week, collectively issuing 1,324 Invitations to Apply through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program.

The draws targeted Express Entry candidates in tech and construction occupations, as well as temporary foreign workers already employed in Alberta under the Alberta Opportunity Stream.

On September 9, the Government of Alberta even announced an increase of 1,528 nomination spaces, bringing the province’s total 2025 allocation to 6,403, up from 4,875 in January.

What This Means for Applicants: Alberta’s draw activity signals a renewed emphasis on in-province workers and critical industry occupations. Candidates aiming to apply should keep their Express Entry and AAIP profiles active and updated, align their NOC code with Alberta’s priority or tech occupations, and explore regional job offers to strengthen eligibility for the Alberta Opportunity Stream.

With the increased 2025 nomination cap, applicants in construction, healthcare, and tech fields can expect continued draw frequency and expanded opportunities heading into the final quarter of the year.

5: Northwest Territories Nominee Program Nomination Allocation Restored to 2024 Levels

The Northwest Territories has restored its 2025 Provincial Nominee Program nomination allocation to 300 spaces, returning to the levels seen in 2024. This increase means that over 100 additional candidates can expect to receive invitations to apply for nomination through the Northwest Territories Nominee Program this year.

Earlier in 2025, the federal government reduced PNP allocations nationwide by 50% to ease pressures on housing and social services. The Northwest Territories initially received 150 nominations, which increased to 197 on September 2 following federal approval of 47 additional nominations for eligible candidates from the 2025 intake.

What This Means for Applicants: With the NTNP nomination allocation restored, candidates now have increased opportunities to receive invitations in 2025, and employers in the Northwest Territories can once again sponsor skilled foreign workers, helping fill critical labour gaps.

Prospective applicants should monitor the upcoming intake announcement closely and ensure their profiles meet stream-specific requirements. Those previously unsuccessful in the 2025 intake may benefit from the additional nominations now available.

6: Ontario Expands ‘As of Right’ Framework for 16 Additional Healthcare Professions

Ontario is taking steps to reduce interprovincial barriers for healthcare professionals by expanding its “As of Right” regulations to include 16 additional regulated healthcare occupations, such as dentists, psychologists, dietitians, and physiotherapists.

Under the proposed legislation, practitioners certified in other Canadian provinces could receive authorization to practice in Ontario in as little as 10 days after credential validation, a significant reduction from the current timeline of up to six months. Physicians and nurses could gain certification within two business days.

The province plans to implement the new regulations on January 1, 2026.

Expanded Professions under the ‘As of Right’ Framework

Audiologist / Speech-Language Pathologist 31112

Chiropodist 3120, Dental Hygienist 32111, Dental Technologist 32112, Dentist 31110, Denturist 32110, Dietitian 31121, Medical Radiation & Imaging Technologist 32121, Midwife 31303, Occupational Therapist 31203, Optician 32100, Optometrist 31111, Pharmacist / Pharmacy Technician 31120 / 32124, Physician Assistant 31303, Physiotherapist 31202, Psychologist 31200

The original As of Right framework already included physicians, surgeons, registered nurses, registered practical nurses, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, and medical laboratory technologists.

Expedited Authorizations for Physicians and Nurses

Ontario is advancing automatic recognition for physicians and nurses who are registered and in good standing in other provinces or territories. Working in collaboration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and the College of Nurses of Ontario, the government aims to:

• Reduce application fees
• Minimize documentation requirements
• Issue certificates within two business days

What This Means for Applicants:

• Healthcare professionals already certified in another province can expect faster processing and significantly reduced waiting times.

   

• Professionals in the 16 newly added occupations should prepare their credential documentation in advance to benefit from expedited review.

   

• Physicians and nurses may transition seamlessly into Ontario’s workforce with minimal paperwork and fees.

   

• This initiative supports labour mobility and addresses healthcare staffing needs across the province, offering more predictable access for interprovincial practitioners

7: IRCC Raises Cap for Francophone Study-to-PR Pathway

IRCC has increased the number of applications it will accept through the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP), a study-to-permanent-residence (PR) pathway.

The increase adds nearly 700 spots, bringing the total intake to 2,970 applications, up from last year’s cap of 2,300. IRCC will accept applications between August 26, 2025, and August 25, 2026.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify as a principal applicant under the FMCSP, students must:

• Apply for a study permit before entering Canada.

   

• Be a citizen of an eligible Francophone member country;

   

• Hold a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution participating in the FMCSP;

   

• Enroll in a full-time postsecondary program lasting at least two years and taught primarily in French;

   

• Demonstrate NCLC level 5 French proficiency in all four abilities;

   

• Show sufficient funds, at least 75% of the LICO for the municipality;

   

• Not be inadmissible to Canada.

Accompanying family members must also meet IRCC definitions and submit an appropriate work permit, study permit, or TRV application.

Why the Cap Was Raised

IRCC’s expansion of the FMCSP aligns with federal goals to increase the number of francophones outside Quebec, a population that has been declining in recent years. This initiative complements:

• Express Entry’s French language proficiency category;

   

• The Welcoming Francophone Communities Initiative;

   

• The FMCSP itself.

   

The federal government aims to dedicate 9.5% of immigrant landings in 2026 to francophone immigration outside Quebec.

What This Means for Applicants

• More international students from francophone countries can now access the FMCSP pathway.

   

• Students and their immediate family members may work in Canada while waiting for PR, offering financial flexibility and Canadian work experience.

   

• Those planning to apply should confirm their DLI’s participation in the FMCSP and ensure they meet the French language and program duration requirements.

   

• This pathway provides a lower French language threshold (NCLC 5) compared with Express Entry French category draws (NCLC 7), making it more accessible to a broader group of francophone students

8: IRCC Updates Express Entry: Upfront Medical Requirement Enforced

IRCC has updated its policy for Express Entry applications: as of October 21, 2025, applicants must provide an immigration medical examination at the time of submission. Applications received without an IME may be rejected as incomplete, and all fees refunded.

• Complete electronic applications required: All applications must be submitted through the applicant’s online account, including the e-APR, cost recovery fees, and supporting documentation.

   

• Medical confirmation required up front: Applicants must provide a valid IME or Unique Medical Identifier (UMI) number. Previous IMEs within the last five years may be used if eligible under the temporary public policy.

   

• Document translation rules: Non-English/French documents must be translated by a certified translator or accompanied by an affidavit. Both the original and the translation must be included.

   

• Transition period: Between October 1, 2023, and August 21, 2025, upfront medicals were not required. Applications submitted in this period without an IME will be assessed under the temporary facilitation period.

What This Means for Applicants

Ensure your IME is completed before applying: For submissions on or after October 21, 2025, applications without a valid medical may be rejected.

• Include the correct IME/UMI number in your e-APR and attach all supporting documents (IMM 1017B or information printout).

   

• Include the correct IME/UMI number in your e-APR  and attach all supporting documents (IMM 1017B or information printout).

   

• Plan ahead for scheduling: Medical exams must be done in advance, as exceptions are only allowed in rare circumstances outside your control.

   

• Spouses and dependents are included: All accompanying family members must also submit valid IMEs with the application.

   

• Avoid delays: Applications found incomplete will be rejected, requiring resubmission and potentially delaying eligibility for future draws.

9: Canada Sees Significant Declines in International Student and Worker Arrivals

New data from IRCC shows a sharp decline in international student arrivals and the overall temporary resident population in Canada compared to 2024.

• International student arrivals:

• Temporary foreign worker arrivals:

   

• Current temporary resident populations:

   

• Temporary resident target impact: To meet 2025 targets, IRCC would need to issue 216,470 more study permits and 429,705 more temporary resident permits in the remaining months of 2025.

What This Means for Applicants

• Increased competition for study permits: Fewer arrivals mean stricter scrutiny and more competitive selection for international students.

   

• Impact on study-to-work pathways: International students transitioning to Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP) may see slower processing due to overall reductions in new permits issued.

   

• Temporary foreign worker opportunities: While total new worker arrivals are down, existing permit holders remain a substantial population; targeted programs may prioritize strategic sectors and regions.

   

• Policy changes ongoing: Expect additional federal updates on temporary resident admissions, including the upcoming 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan.

Have questions or interested in a discussion? Schedule a call with one of our Immigration experts.