Express Entry Canada invites 374 PNP candidates in latest draw

Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 374 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates with a minimum score of 741. Since candidates in the PNP program receive 600 points by joining, candidates only needed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 141 for their human capital characteristics.

This draw saw IRCC issue more invitations and decrease the CRS cut-off score compared with the previous PNP draw. The last PNP-only draw had a CRS cut-off score of 813.

Express Entry is the main way Canada welcomes skilled foreign workers and the PNP is the second most popular. Most provinces and territories operate their own immigrant selection process through the PNP to welcome skilled worker immigrants who can help address the province or territory’s labour needs.

Express Entry Canada issued a record-breaking 107,350 invitations to apply (ITAs) in 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Canada has plans to increase the number of ITAs over the next few years to support Canada’s post-COVID-19 economic recovery. The 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan outlines that IRCC aims to welcome an average of 110,000 immigrants through the Express Entry program per year.