Canada’s third Express Entry draw of the year was held on January 20, and it issued 374 invitations to apply to immigration candidates who have provincial nominations (PNP).
The minimum required Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score was 741.
Today’s minimum CRS score is higher than usual because those who receive provincial nominations are awarded an additional 600 CRS points. Without the additional points, the minimum CRS score would be 141.
Invited candidates may now begin their application process to become permanent residents of Canada.
Canada has not slowed its high levels of invitations because of the pandemic. Its continued goal is to increase immigration over the coming years. This is because Canada recognizes that increased immigration is crucial for economic recovery post-pandemic. Canada aims to welcome over 400,000 new permanent residents each year between 2021-2023.
This is illustrated by Canada surpassing its immigration targets for 2020. Canada aimed to invite 91,800 immigration candidates through Express Entry in 2020, but issued a total of 107,350, the most since Express Entry was launched in 2015.
The Express Entry system is used by Canada to manage the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class and the Canadian Experience Class.
Some Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams are also managed through Express Entry.
All three programs so far in 2021 have been program-specific draws. The last time Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held program-specific draws was after the travel restrictions were introduced by Canada to curb the spread of COVID-19. This is because PNP and CEC candidates are more likely to be in Canada.
Those who are eligible to immigrate through one of the three federal Express Entry programs can submit an Express Entry profile on IRCC’s website. Candidates in the Express Entry pool are given a CRS score based on human capital criteria such as their age, education, language skills and work experience. IRCC holds regular Express Entry draws inviting the highest-ranked candidates to apply for permanent residence.
In 2021, Canada aims to welcome 108,500 immigrants through Express Entry.