Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new Express Entry draw on March 31, 2021, inviting 284 immigration candidates to apply for permanent residence. This draw specifically targeted applicants who had provincial nominations through Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
To receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in this round, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 778. While this score appears high, it reflects the automatic 600 CRS points awarded through a PNP nomination. Without the nomination, candidates would have had CRS scores as low as 178.
This draw followed the government’s tie-breaking rule, which ensures fairness when multiple candidates have the same CRS score. For this round, only candidates who submitted their Express Entry profile before March 16, 2021, at 16:09:32 UTC were considered.
Canada’s focus on PNP and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates aligns with its broader strategy to prioritize individuals already residing in the country. With ongoing COVID-19 travel restrictions limiting international entries, IRCC has adjusted its policies to meet its ambitious immigration targets by selecting candidates with Canadian work or study experience.
The Liberal-led federal government aims to welcome 401,000 new permanent residents in 2021, most of them through Express Entry-managed programs. As a result, IRCC has been alternating between PNP- and CEC-specific draws, prioritizing those more likely to be in Canada already.
This targeted approach is yielding significant results. As of March 31, Canada has issued over 44,000 ITAs in 2021 through the Express Entry system—nearly double the 22,600 issued by the same time last year. Notably, the February 13 draw alone invited every eligible CEC candidate in the Express Entry pool.
These program-specific draws reflect Canada’s evolving immigration strategy under the pandemic, balancing public health concerns with economic recovery goals. By focusing on domestic candidates and leveraging the PNP, Canada is maintaining momentum toward its record-setting immigration targets.
Maple News will continue to provide updates on Express Entry draws and Canada’s immigration developments as they unfold.