Maple News reports that on May 26, Canada extended invitations to 500 Express Entry candidates through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-specific draw. These candidates are now one step closer to becoming permanent residents. To receive an invitation in this round, applicants needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 713, which includes the 600 points automatically granted to PNP nominees. Without the nomination, the base CRS would have been just 113.
This draw marks a slight decrease in both the number of invitations and the CRS cutoff compared to the previous PNP-only round, where 557 candidates were invited and the minimum score stood at 752. The continuing fluctuations reflect Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) ongoing focus on prioritizing candidates with stronger ties to Canada.
According to IRCC’s administrative procedures, a tie-break rule was applied for this draw. Only candidates who submitted their Express Entry profiles before April 6, 2021, at 9:50:14 UTC and met the minimum CRS score were selected.
Since the beginning of 2021, Canada has exclusively targeted candidates either nominated by a province through a PNP or eligible under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This strategic shift is driven by ongoing pandemic-related travel restrictions, which have limited the arrival of overseas applicants. As a result, IRCC has focused on candidates already present in Canada to meet its ambitious immigration targets.
Canada plans to welcome a record number of newcomers over the next three years, with 108,500 newcomers expected to be admitted through Express Entry-managed programs in 2021 alone. As of this latest draw, a total of 68,817 candidates have already been invited.
PNP-based and CEC-only draws differ significantly in their CRS requirements. PNP candidates receive an automatic 600-point boost, which raises the draw threshold. Conversely, CEC-only draws include larger invitation pools and typically reflect lower score cutoffs due to the absence of the PNP bonus. For instance, in a recent CEC-focused draw, the CRS requirement fell to 397.
The Express Entry system is Canada’s flagship application management platform for skilled workers. It manages three economic immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Many provinces also use Express Entry streams to select candidates who align with their economic goals.
Through draws like these, IRCC continues to balance its commitment to economic recovery and immigration targets while adjusting to public health realities. PNP-linked Express Entry candidates remain a strategic pathway for regional growth and labor market needs across Canadian provinces.