Ottawa, April 30, 2025 — Canada is opening new doors for Indians seeking permanent residency (PR), with a series of recent developments making immigration more accessible, particularly through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and job-specific pathways.
On April 28, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a PNP-specific Express Entry draw, inviting 421 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 421. This marked a significant drop from the previous April 14 draw, where the cutoff score stood at 764, indicating a more favorable climate for those with provincial nominations—many of whom are Indian nationals.
Despite this encouraging trend, Canada has announced a reduction in its immigration targets, lowering the number of permanent residents it plans to admit in 2025 to 395,000 from 485,000 in 2024. Officials cite domestic concerns like housing shortages and pressure on public services as reasons for this recalibration.
For skilled Indian workers, especially in construction, a new PR pathway introduced in March brings promising news. The initiative is tailored to address labor shortages in Canada’s growing construction sector, offering a direct route for those qualified in the field.
In a move to curb fraud and streamline the immigration system, IRCC will also be removing the additional CRS points awarded for job offers starting spring 2025. This change will likely heighten competition among applicants, placing greater importance on language proficiency, education, and work experience—areas where many Indian applicants have traditionally excelled.
Political dynamics are also influencing immigration policy. The re-election of the Liberal Party under Prime Minister Mark Carney signals potential stabilization of Canada’s immigration intake. The government is expected to adjust both permanent and temporary resident levels, focusing on a balanced and efficient system.
With a record 7.3 million advance votes cast in the recent elections, immigration remains a central issue. Carney’s government has committed to a C$5 billion trade diversification fund and aims to position Canada as a “clean and conventional energy” superpower—both initiatives that may lead to more opportunities for skilled migrants.
For Indian applicants, particularly those targeting the PNP or in construction-related roles, now is a critical time to assess eligibility and prepare for evolving criteria.
