Maple News reports that Canada conducted its third Express Entry draw of 2021 on January 20, extending invitations to 374 candidates through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). To qualify, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 741 — a high threshold that includes the 600-point boost awarded through a provincial nomination. Effectively, applicants needed only 141 CRS points from personal criteria such as age, education, work experience, and language ability.
Express Entry remains Canada’s primary immigration pathway for skilled professionals seeking permanent residence. Managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the system handles applications under three economic programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
IRCC aims to welcome an average of 110,000 immigrants per year through Express Entry under its 2021–2023 Immigration Levels Plan. Candidates first create an online profile and receive a CRS score based on their human capital factors. Approximately every two weeks, IRCC conducts selection rounds, issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence to the highest-ranking profiles.
Applicants invited through Express Entry-aligned PNP streams receive an automatic 600-point boost, virtually securing an ITA. The PNP has become a critical component of Canada’s immigration strategy, enabling provinces and territories to address local labor market shortages by nominating skilled candidates aligned with regional needs.
The January 20 draw follows two earlier rounds this year. On January 6, 250 PNP candidates were invited, and on January 7, 4,750 CEC candidates received ITAs. These early draws in 2021 were program-specific, a pattern that originated during the COVID-19 pandemic, favoring candidates more likely to be in Canada and less affected by global travel restrictions. By the end of 2020, however, IRCC had resumed all-program draws, once again inviting FSWP and FSTP candidates.
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, 2020 marked a record-breaking year for Express Entry with 107,350 ITAs issued — the highest number since the system’s inception. This upward momentum reflects Canada’s broader strategy to drive post-pandemic economic recovery by attracting skilled global talent.
As immigration continues to play a vital role in Canada’s economic planning, Express Entry remains a streamlined path for qualified individuals to obtain permanent residency and contribute to the country’s innovation and workforce growth.