Maple News reports that on March 8, Canada issued 671 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence through the Express Entry system, exclusively targeting candidates nominated through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
To qualify, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 739. While this may appear high, it’s important to note that applicants with a provincial nomination automatically receive an additional 600 CRS points. This means the base human capital score for these individuals was just 139.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the draw followed the Express Entry tie-break rule, meaning only candidates who submitted their profiles before February 16, 2021, at 19:10:25 UTC were considered. The tie-break rule is used to manage draws fairly when multiple candidates have the same CRS score.
This latest draw comes just over three weeks after a record-breaking Express Entry event on February 13, when 27,332 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates were invited. That draw made headlines for having the lowest CRS cut-off in Express Entry history—only 75 points.
So far in 2021, IRCC has issued a remarkable 38,657 ITAs, more than triple the number issued by the same time last year. This surge aligns with Canada’s ambitious goal of welcoming at least 401,000 new permanent residents in 2021, the majority of whom are expected to arrive through economic immigration programs like Express Entry.
Legal professionals have praised the effectiveness of PNP nominations in boosting applicants’ chances. “Provincial nominees have demonstrated that they will benefit provincial labour markets,” said attorney David Cohen. “Provinces in turn support their Express Entry application with an award that guarantees an invitation to apply.”
The Provincial Nominee Program enables Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals who have the skills, education, and work experience to contribute to their local economies. Their selection is viewed as a strong endorsement by the federal immigration system, often leading to priority in Express Entry draws.
Overall, Canada continues to show significant momentum in welcoming skilled immigrants, and candidates aligned with provincial needs may find increasing advantage through the PNP stream.
Maple News will continue monitoring updates on Express Entry and related immigration draws as the country works toward its 2021 immigration targets.