Maple News reports that on April 1, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 5,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence, targeting candidates through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream of the Express Entry system. Notably, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score dropped to 432 — one of the lowest thresholds since the pandemic began.
This draw marks a significant 17-point drop compared to the previous CEC-specific selection. According to IRCC’s tie-break rule, only candidates who had submitted their Express Entry profiles by February 16, 2021 at 09:51:22 UTC and met the minimum score were considered. This administrative rule ensures transparency when multiple candidates have the same CRS score.
David Cohen, Senior Attorney at Campbell Cohen, noted that this was the third-lowest CRS requirement recorded during the COVID-19 era, surpassed only by the unprecedented February 13, 2021 draw — where IRCC invited every eligible CEC candidate — and a June 2020 draw.
As Canada continues to aim for its 2021 immigration goal of admitting 401,000 new permanent residents, IRCC has been prioritizing applicants already living in Canada. CEC candidates typically meet the one-year skilled work experience requirement within Canada, making them ideal candidates during ongoing international travel restrictions. IRCC has previously indicated that approximately 90% of CEC applicants are already in the country.
Since the start of the pandemic, IRCC has shifted between different types of targeted draws. Early on, officials alternated between draws focused on Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates and others aimed at CEC applicants. Toward the end of 2020, all-program draws resumed. However, in early 2021, IRCC returned to holding PNP- and CEC-specific draws to better manage admissions under temporary health measures.
The previous Express Entry round on March 31, 2021 exclusively invited PNP candidates. These individuals receive an automatic 600 points upon provincial nomination, greatly boosting their CRS scores and increasing their chances of receiving an ITA.
As Maple News continues to track the evolving Express Entry landscape, it’s clear that IRCC is leveraging flexibility within the system to meet its economic immigration objectives despite border closures. The April 1 draw is yet another example of Canada’s strategy to prioritize in-Canada talent and maintain immigration momentum during recovery.