Canada accepts 521 PNP applicants through Express Entry

The minimum CRS score needed for a PNP draw has dropped to its lowest level since June

On September 15, Canada welcomed 521 Express Entry applicants to apply for permanent residency. All invited applicants had already received nominations through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), resulting in an automatic 600 points increase to their basic Express Entry score. As a consequence of the award, applicants had to have a minimum score of 732 in order to be invited. Candidates accepted through Express Entry today, now have 60 days to apply for permanent residency. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 635 individuals with scores of at least 764 in the last PNP draw two weeks ago.

IRCC has only done PNP and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry draws since the beginning of 2021. This is the year's 18th PNP-specific draw. On Wednesdays, IRCC usually performs a PNP draw, followed by a CEC draw on Thursday. However, the CEC draw that was supposed to take place on September 2nd didn’t take place.

On February 13, the Express Entry draw procedure was interrupted for the first time this year when IRCC invited every single CEC candidate in the pool. After then, it did not hold another CEC draw for more than a month. In April and May, the IRCC also performed an irregular CEC draw.

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IRCC has nearly quadrupled the number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs), compared to the same period for the previous year. The government hopes to welcome 108,500 immigrants using the Express Entry scheme this year. The minimum score criteria have fluctuated in recent times, due to the nature of CEC and PNP only draws. Since CEC drawings are limited to a single group of candidates, the cut-offs are typically lower. As a result, bigger draw sizes allow IRCC to invite more candidates, thus decreasing the required score.

PNP draws will always be greater than any other form of Express Entry draw as it provides additional 600 points to PNP candidates under the respective provincial nomination.

 What exactly is Express Entry?

The online Express Entry system is used to manage applications for Canada's most popular immigration programs. This online system is used by three programs: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Candidates for the PNP who are in the Express Entry pool are already qualified for one of these programs. Therefore, they just need to apply and receive a provincial nomination, which will improve their score by 600 points.

Express Entry ranks candidates' profiles using a point-based mechanism known as the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). ITA (Invitation to apply) is issued to the applicants with the highest scores after which they can apply for permanent residence. An IRCC official then analyses their application and makes a judgement. They will request biometrics and may ask for an interview or other documentation.

If your application is granted, you will get a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) from IRCC. The landing procedure can then be completed by approved permanent residents. If they are not already in Canada, they can take advantage of pre-arrival programs to assist them with the initial stages toward establishing in Canada.