635 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates in the express entry system have been invited to apply for permanent residence.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its latest draw on September 1. The minimum score cutoff was 764 since all applicants had a provincial nomination worth 600 points in the Express Entry System. The apex number of points one might get is 1,200.
The cutoff time for the candidates who had the minimum score was April 12, 2021, at 12:21:45 UTC. IRCC published a tie-breaker for every draw regardless of whether or not there was a tie. The candidates who have been invited now have 60 days to apply for permanent residency.
Backlog in Express Entry application processing
It is late now in summer 2021, unlike last year during the pandemic. The IRCC has only invited PNP and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. Despite that IRCC is finalizing applications from CEC candidates who have applied in January, Express Entry candidates from other programs might have to experience a slight delay. The IRCC webpage says it could be due to the limited capacity to process these applications. As of March 26, IRCC has removed the progress bar on all of its Express Entry applicants’ online accounts. But, candidates can still access the current status of their application by clicking the “Details about application status” button.
Express Entry invitations almost double 2020 levels
IRCC has doubled its number of invitations to apply that have been issued over the years. In 2021, IRCC has sent out 106,414 ITAs so far. With more invitations on the way, there is a higher chance that the IRCC is admitting a target of 108,500 newcomers through the Express Entry System in 2021.
The score requirements have not been constant due to the nature of CEC and PNP draws. CEC draws typically have lower cutoffs because the draws are potent in the group of applicants. There is no competition with others in the Federal skilled Worker Program. For example, with bigger draw sizes, IRCC is inviting more candidates, to bring the score down. PNP applicants with no doubt can get 600 with their provincial nomination. PNP draws are always higher than any other Express Entry draw. Since June PNP draws have ranged from as low as 740 to 760.
What is Express Entry?
A popular program that is used by immigrants is the Express Entry system to manage applications. The three types of Express Entry programs are Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program. PNP candidates in the Express Entry system are already qualified for the programs. Later they apply for a nomination from a province and receive it, which is raised by 600 points.
Express Entry uses a points-based system, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), to rank candidates’ profiles. The candidates with the highest points receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), and can then apply for permanent residency.
Once applied, an IRCC officer reviews the application and makes the decision. The candidate is asked for biometrics, an interview is set up, sometimes a candidate is asked for more documents.
Once the application is approved, IRCC issues a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). The approved permanent residents can later complete the landing process. If they are outside Canada, they can access pre-arrival services to help them with the first steps for settling in Canada.
