On March 8, Canada conducted another Express Entry draw targeting Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. During the draw, 671 candidates were invited to apply for permanent residency.
For this draw, candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 739 points received an invitation to apply (ITA) from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The higher score for this draw is likely due to the candidates having received an additional 600 points from a successful PNP nomination.
The federal Express Entry system was established to manage Canada’s pool of economic immigration candidates. Applicants interested in applying for permanent residency can choose from a number of economic-class migration programs, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Applicants who have submitted their profile into the Express Entry system are then ranked and given a score based on a number of human capital factors, such as age, education, work experience, language skills, and more.
Candidates with higher CRS scores have a better chance of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency. However, the draw for this round was the lowest it has been in Express Entry history.
Express Entry candidates who have applied and successfully received a provincial nomination through the PNP of a province automatically receive 600 points to their overall CRS score.
A tie-break rule was applied to this draw, so PNP candidates who were able to submit their application to the federal Express Entry system before February 16, 2021 at 19:10:25 UTC likely received an invitation.
As of this draw, Canada has issued 38,657 ITAs, three times more than the number of invitations issued at the same time last year. The IRCC continues to remain on track to achieving their goal of inviting 401,100 new immigrants in 2021, as they continue to hold regular draws targeting PNP candidates and those in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Regarding PNP candidates in particular, there has been a high demand for them, not only because they have likely already settled in Canada, but because of their value to Canada’s recovering economy.
According to a statement from Atty. David Cohen, senior partner at Campbell Cohen,
“Provincial nominees have demonstrated that they will benefit provincial labour markets. In turn, provinces support their Express Entry application with an award that guarantees they will be invited to apply for permanent residence.”
Canada continues to maintain that immigration is key to their economic recovery.
If you’d like to learn more about Express Entry and the different PNP pathways to immigrate to Canada, register to one of our private online discussions. Register to an orientation for free here.
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