Maple News reports that on August 19, Canada extended invitations to 3,000 Express Entry candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 403—just one point lower than the previous CEC-specific round, indicating a slight easing in selection criteria.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) applied its standard tie-break rule to ensure fairness. This means candidates who had the minimum score of 403 were only considered if they submitted their Express Entry profile before August 1, 2021, at 10:13:57 UTC.
This draw aligns with IRCC’s ongoing strategy throughout 2021 to prioritize candidates from the Canadian Experience Class and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). By focusing on these groups, IRCC targets individuals already residing in Canada, which minimizes pandemic-related travel obstacles. CEC applicants are usually working in Canada and easily meet the eligibility requirement of one year of Canadian work experience—about 90% of CEC candidates are already in the country, making them ideal amid public health protocols.
To date in 2021, IRCC has held 32 program-specific Express Entry draws—16 each for CEC and PNP candidates. This tailored approach has resulted in a sharp increase in overall invitations issued. As of August 19, IRCC had sent out 105,779 Invitations to Apply (ITAs), nearly double the number at the same point last year. The department aims to admit 108,500 Express Entry applicants by the end of the year, exceeding past performance benchmarks.
Because of the narrowed focus on CEC and PNP categories, CRS cutoff scores have fluctuated. CEC-specific draws generally require lower scores, as candidates are not competing with applicants in other categories such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program. In contrast, PNP nominees receive a 600-point boost to their CRS score, pushing their eligibility over the threshold much faster.
While IRCC has started to ease travel restrictions—allowing Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) holders to travel to Canada since June 21—it continues to prioritize in-country applicants for smoother processing. This trend reflects Canada’s broader strategy of maintaining immigration targets while adapting to shifting global conditions.
Express Entry remains one of the most dynamic pathways to Canadian permanent residency, and applicants are advised to maintain active and updated profiles for future draws.
Maple News will continue to monitor and report on Canada’s evolving immigration landscape, especially as the country adjusts its post-pandemic immigration strategies.