746 PNP candidates invited in December 22 Express Entry draw

In the Express Entry draw held on December 22, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 746 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates to apply for Permanent Residence. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for the invited candidates was 720. As the PNP candidates receive 600 additional CRS score points, the base CRS score of the invited candidates was 120.

This is the eighth PNP-specific Express Entry draw being held by IRCC is a row since September this year. Ever since the Canadian borders were closed owing to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Express Entry draws had been alternating between Canadian Experience Class and PNP candidates. However, in October 2021, IRCC paused CEC draws with an aim to clear the backlog. According to an internal briefing memo of the IRCC, they want to cut Express Entry backlogs at least in half before starting to invite candidates from other immigration programs.

In the previous Express Entry draw held on December 10, which is the largest PNP-only draw so far, IRCC invited 1032 PNP candidates with a minimum CRS score of 698. Since the start of the pandemic, Canada has held a total of 35 PNP-specific Express Entry draws in which 19563 candidates received invitations. The number of CEC-only draws held during the period was 27 and the number of invitations issued was 133868. The number of all-program draws held during this period was 11.

The total number of Express Entry invitations issued by Canada this year, as on December 22 is 114431. The number of Candidates who received invitations during the same period last year was 102350.

Canada 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/or to 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 held so far in 2021

If you are interested in Canada immigration, create an Express Entry profile without delay. For the best assistance, connect with CanApprove.