Maple News reports that on February 10, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 654 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence through the Express Entry system. This draw specifically targeted candidates who were nominated through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), reflecting Canada’s continued focus on regional immigration priorities.
To be selected in this draw, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 720. The high cut-off is explained by the automatic 600 points awarded to candidates nominated by a province — indicating that without the nomination, their base CRS score would have been at least 120. This draw’s minimum score was 21 points lower than the last PNP-specific draw held on January 20, 2021, suggesting a broadening opportunity for applicants in the PNP stream.
The Express Entry system manages applications for three federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Candidates build a profile and are scored based on core human capital factors like age, education, language ability (English or French), and work experience, both in Canada and abroad. While Canadian work experience or a job offer can add value, they are not mandatory.
A nomination from a province, however, significantly boosts a candidate’s chances of receiving an ITA. Provincial programs can target specific labor market needs, improving regional workforce development strategies. This dual-layer system allows provinces to select candidates aligned with their economic goals while benefiting from federal Express Entry streams.
IRCC handles Express Entry draws regularly, inviting the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence. Those who are invited must submit a full application, after which, if approved, they receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). Upon arrival in Canada, these individuals gain permanent resident status and may eventually qualify for Canadian citizenship.
For this round, IRCC applied its standard tie-break rule to manage candidates with identical scores. Only those with a CRS of 720 or higher who submitted their profiles before August 14, 2020, at 6:51:00 UTC were issued invitations. This detail emphasizes the importance of early profile submission and consistent preparation in the competitive Express Entry process.
Maple News will continue monitoring Canada’s immigration trends as the federal government works to meet its ambitious immigration targets through 2021 and beyond. With more PNP-focused draws likely, provincial pathways remain a strategic route for eligible skilled workers worldwide.