In Canada’s first Express Entry draw of the year held on January 5, a total of 392 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates received invitations to apply for permanent residence. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for the candidates was 808. Though this cut-off score may appear too high, as the PNP candidates receive additional 600 CRS score points, the minimum basic score is just 208.
The IRCC has been holding PNP-specific Express Entry draws consecutively since September 2021. According to IRCC, Express Entry is now focusing on PNP candidates as immigration officers are into processing the backlog of Express Entry applications. They want to reduce the backlog before inviting candidates from other programs.
Canada Express Entry 2022
In the 2021 Federal Budget of Canada, the government proposed giving more flexibility to the immigration minister for inviting Express Entry candidates who can meet the labour market needs of the country. In the mandate letter issued to the new immigration minister Sean Fraser, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asked to expand Express Entry immigration pathways for international students and temporary workers. So the immigration aspirants and experts are looking forward to the government implementing these changes in the current year.
Also, the new Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) system will come into effect in 2022, which will replace the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system and change the Express Entry-eligible occupations.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is an online system for managing applications for Canada immigration under the three federal economic immigration programs, which are the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. In order to receive an Express Entry invitation, a candidate must first create an Express Entry profile. The candidate is then assessed on the basis of various human capital factors and awarded a CRS score out of 1200.
Those with the highest scores are invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada. Those with a provincial nomination hold a better chance to receive an invitation as they will have 600 additional CRS score points added to their total score. Once they receive the invitation, they may submit the complete application for Canada immigration. An IRCC officer will review the application, following which the candidates will be asked to submit their biometric details and appear for an interview. They may be also asked to submit additional documents, if necessary. Once the application is approved, the candidate will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
Express Entry draws in the past six months
Date | Number | Number of invitations issued | CRS cut-off score |
5-01-2022 | 213 | 392(PNP-specific) | 808 |
23-12-2021 | 212 | 746(PNP-specific) | 720 |
10-12-2021 | 211 | 1032(PNP-specific) | 698 |
24-11-2021 | 210 | 613(PNP-specific) | 737 |
11-11-2021 | 209 | 775(PNP-specific) | 685 |
27-10-2021 | 208 | 888(PNP-specific) | 744 |
13-10-2021 | 207 | 681(PNP-specific) | 720 |
30-9-2021 | 206 | 761(PNP-specific) | 742 |
15-09-2021 | 205 | 521(PNP-specific) | 732 |
14-09-2021 | 204 | 2000(CEC-specific) | 462 |
1-09-2021 | 203 | 635 (PNP-specific) | 764 |
19-08-2021 | 202 | 3000(CEC-specific) | 403 |
18-08-2021 | 201 | 463(PNP-specific) | 751 |
05-08-2021 | 200 | 3000(CEC specific) | 404 |
04-08-2021 | 199 | 512(PNP-specific) | 760 |
22-07-2021 | 198 | 4500(CEC-specific draw) | 357 |
21-07-2021 | 197 | 462(PNP-specific) | 734 |
8-7-2021 | 196 | 4500(CEC-specific draw) | 369 |
7-7-2021 | 195 | 627(PNP-specific) | 760 |
If you are interested in Canada immigration, create an Express Entry profile without delay. For the best assistance, connect with CanApprove.