Canada Immigration News Podcast
Canada Immigration News Podcast #82: Express Entry Predictions, Saskatchewan Work Permit Extension, Newfoundland Draw, Manitoba PNP Draw
Welcome to episode 82 of the Canada Immigration News Podcast, where we bring you the most important updates in Canadian immigration. In this episode, we explore Canada’s evolving Express Entry trends, a proposed work permit extension in Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador’s latest immigration draw, and new PNP draw invitations issued by Manitoba under its Skilled Worker Overseas stream.
Next Express Entry draw 2025: Trends and predictions
Canada’s Express Entry system is undergoing notable changes in 2025. The latest draw on May 13 issued 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) at a high Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 547. This continues a recent pattern of smaller draw sizes and elevated CRS thresholds, driven in part by Canada’s reduced immigration targets for the year. The selection criteria are increasingly focused on in-Canada candidates and category-based draws, especially those with backgrounds in healthcare, French language proficiency, and skilled trades. Experts project the next draw to occur between May 27 and May 30, possibly targeting specific categories with tailored CRS requirements.
Saskatchewan plans a two-year work permit extension for skilled workers
In a move to stabilize its workforce and support temporary foreign workers, Saskatchewan’s Immigration Minister Jim Reiter has announced plans to negotiate a two-year work permit extension with the federal government. This initiative is inspired by Manitoba’s recent agreement, which provided 6,700 extensions until December 2025. Saskatchewan’s proposed plan follows the federal government’s decision to reduce the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) quota by 50%, limiting it to just 3,600 nominations. The extension aims to retain skilled workers whose permits are nearing expiry and ensure that local businesses are not impacted by unexpected labor shortages.
Newfoundland and Labrador issued 328 immigration invitations in the latest provincial draw
On May 8, 2025, Newfoundland and Labrador conducted its second round of immigration selections through its Expression of Interest (EOI) system. A total of 328 invitations were issued, with 281 invitations going to Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) candidates and 47 under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). This draw follows a successful negotiation with the federal government that secured Newfoundland and Labrador an enhanced immigration allocation of 2,525 spaces for 2025, an increase of 1,000 spots compared to the previous year. The province’s online Immigration Accelerator platform, launched in February 2025, has streamlined the EOI registration process and improved draw efficiency.
Manitoba PNP Draw Issues 62 Invitations to Skilled Workers Overseas
On May 15, 2025, Manitoba conducted Draw #245 of its Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), issuing 62 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) under the Skilled Worker Overseas (SWO) stream. The minimum score required for this draw was 626 points, representing a significant drop of 101 points from the previous SWO draw. All invited candidates qualified under the strategic recruitment initiative. In 2025, Manitoba has issued 780 invitations under various streams, with 167 of those candidates having valid Express Entry profile numbers and job seeker validation codes, linking them directly to Canada’s federal immigration system.
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