Maple News reports that on November 10, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 775 candidates to apply for permanent residence through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-specific Express Entry draw.
All selected candidates had previously secured a provincial nomination, which automatically adds 600 points to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Consequently, the minimum cut-off score for this round was 685. Without the PNP boost, the lowest-ranking invitee would have had just 85 points—among the lowest raw scores seen in recent draws.
This draw marks the second-lowest CRS cut-off for PNP candidates since IRCC began holding PNP-only rounds in March 2020. The only lower cut-off score in this category occurred in March 2021, underscoring how selective IRCC’s scoring criteria remain for Express Entry candidates.
In recent months, IRCC has exclusively held PNP-specific draws, moving away from all-program invitations that include candidates from other streams such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). This approach stems largely from COVID-19 border restrictions, which limited entry to foreign nationals approved for immigration but based outside Canada.
Between March 2020 and June 2021, the government prioritized applicants already present within Canada. This led to a focus on PNP and CEC draws. Beginning 2021, all Express Entry draws were strictly limited to these two groups. Notably, PNP candidates are chosen by provinces or territories for their skills and potential economic contributions to the region.
IRCC’s five previous rounds have all been PNP-only. This consistency suggests a strategic move to support provincial and territorial immigration targets, which align closely with regional labor needs and economic development goals. Without federal invitations to PNP candidates, provinces would struggle to meet their annual immigration allocations.
Earlier in 2021, IRCC shifted efforts toward processing Canadian Experience Class applications, with some draws inviting up to 6,000 candidates per round to meet a national target of 141,000 CEC permanent residents for the year. However, due to processing timelines, invitations issued after July were unlikely to be finalized before year’s end, as revealed in internal government communications.
As Express Entry activity continues to evolve amid the pandemic recovery, IRCC’s consistent focus on PNP draws underscores the critical role that provinces play in shaping Canadian immigration outcomes.