Express Entry Canada invites 671 PNP candidates

Canada issued 671 invitations to apply (ITAs) to Express Entry candidates in a draw held on March 8. Candidates who received invitations can now apply for permanent residence in Canada.

Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited candidates who had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 739. The minimum score is high because everyone who was invited in this draw had previously received a nomination from a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw.

Express Entry candidates who receive provincial nominations automatically receive 600 points towards their CRS score. This means, invited candidates only needed a CRS score of at least 139 before their provincial nomination.

The CRS score is based on various human capital factors of the candidate. Candidates are rated on things such as age, education, work experience, and language ability in English or French. The points may be rewarded to a couple or an individual. Candidates do not need a job offer, but it could lead to extra points. It is not necessary for candidates to have worked or studied in Canada, though because of COVID-19, the IRCC is prioritizing candidates who are already in the country.

Candidates who had the minimum score of 739 were only invited if they submitted their Express Entry profile before February 16, 2021 at 11:10:25 PST, as per the tie-break rule.

So far this year, Canada has invited 38,657 immigration candidates in various draws. This is more than three (3) times more than the number of ITAs issued at the same time last year.