Canada held its third Express Entry immigration draw of 2021 on January 20.
Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 374 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates with a minimum score of 741. This cut-off score means that candidates only needed to obtain 141 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for their human capital characteristics. The other 600 points they obtained were by securing a provincial nomination.
Express Entry is the main way Canada welcomes skilled workers who want to obtain Canadian permanent residence. Under the 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada aims to welcome an average of 110,000 immigrants under Express Entry per year. IRCC uses Express Entry to manage skilled worker applications for the following three programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class.
Canada held another Express Entry draw on January 7, the second invitation round held in two days.
Results of the draw were released today, January 8, 2021.
Two days ago, Canada kicked off the new year issuing invitations to Express Entry candidates who have provincial nominations.
A total of 250 candidates were invited by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in the January 6 draw and they needed a minimum score of 813.
Candidates who have received nominations from an Express Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Program (PNPs) automatically get 600 points added to their overall score, which is why the score requirement is relatively high compared to other rounds of invitation.
Candidates in these programs, as well as some PNPs, are given a score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). These points are awarded based on the candidate’s human capital factors such as age, education, work experience, and language ability in English or French.
The points may be awarded to an individual, or a couple. Although Express Entry candidates do not need to have any experience in Canada, or even a job offer, though it may give them some extra points.
The highest-scoring candidates receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence through regular Express Entry rounds of invitation. After they apply, IRCC will then make a final decision on their immigration application and send them a Confirmation of Permanent Residence if their application is successful. The last step for approved permanent residents is to make their landing in Canada, and apply for their PR card. At this point, they have officially immigrated to Canada, and can eventually apply for