Maple News reports that Canada has issued 1,002 invitations to apply for permanent residence in its latest Express Entry draw targeting Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. The draw, held on June 23, showcased a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoff score of 742—significantly higher than average due to the automatic 600-point boost received by PNP nominees.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), only candidates who submitted their Express Entry profiles before February 18, 2021, at 04:04:56 UTC were considered if they matched the minimum cutoff score. This tie-break rule ensures fairness in the selection process when multiple candidates share the same lowest qualifying score.
This draw marks a notable increase from the previous PNP-specific selection round, during which 940 candidates were invited with a minimum score of 711. The trend of higher scores in PNP draws continues as IRCC maintains its focus on candidates who are more likely to be in Canada already, particularly amid ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.
Since the onset of the pandemic, IRCC has concentrated its Express Entry efforts on PNP and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates—both of which typically include individuals with temporary status within Canada. Until June 21, 2021, most approved permanent residents were unable to travel to Canada due to public health restrictions, which further elevated the focus on in-country applicants.
While some travel restrictions are easing, including new policies for permanent residents, the broader Canadian border remains closed to non-essential travel. Additionally, the travel ban from India, a country with high immigration representation, has been extended, posing ongoing challenges for overseas applicants.
Despite these barriers, Canada remains committed to achieving ambitious immigration goals. In 2021, the federal government aims to welcome 108,500 newcomers through Express Entry-managed pathways. So far, IRCC has issued nearly twice as many invitations as it had by this time last year, partly due to the unprecedented February 13 draw that invited over 27,000 CEC candidates in one round.
Notably, PNP and CEC draws reflect different scoring trends. While PNP candidates benefit from additional points due to provincial nominations, CEC-exclusive draws often have lower cutoffs, as those candidates do not compete with applicants from other streams. This bifurcated approach allows IRCC to adapt its immigration strategy to current public health realities while preparing to meet long-term demographic and economic targets.
Maple News will continue to monitor updates from IRCC and report on key changes affecting immigration hopefuls across categories.