Maple News reports that on July 8, 2021, Canada issued 4,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence through a new round of Express Entry draws, exclusively targeting candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 369, marking a slight increase from the previous CEC-specific draw, which had a cutoff of 357.
This latest draw was the smallest of its kind since May 20, both in terms of minimum CRS score and the number of ITAs issued. The tie-break rule was applied to candidates who submitted their profiles before June 10, 2021, at 22:46:37 UTC. As per this rule, only candidates who met or exceeded the cutoff score and submitted their Express Entry profiles before that time received invitations.
The Canadian government is continuing its strategy of alternating between Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and CEC draws to manage intake and target in-Canada applicants during the pandemic. PNP candidates receive an additional 600 CRS points through provincial nominations, which explains the recent fluctuation in CRS score thresholds across draw types.
As of July, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 93,842 ITAs in 2021—nearly double the number issued at the same point in 2020. This aggressive pace aligns with the federal target of landing 108,500 new permanent residents through the Express Entry system this year.
While receiving an ITA is a critical step toward permanent residency, it does not guarantee approval. Some candidates may choose not to apply, while others may be declined during processing. Although IRCC generally aims to process applications within six months, ongoing COVID-19-related disruptions have extended average processing times.
This ongoing trend highlights Canada’s commitment to prioritizing candidates with Canadian work experience, many of whom are already contributing to the economy and are poised to integrate quickly into the labor market once granted permanent residency.
Maple News will continue to provide updates on future Express Entry rounds and shifting immigration policies as Canada progresses toward its ambitious immigration targets in 2021.