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Canada Express Entry 2021: 654 PNP candidates receive ITAs

February 12, 2021BY Admin

The 175th Express Entry Draw took place on February 10, 2021. This draw was directed only at the Provincial Candidate Scheme. The draw gave ITA 654 to those with a cut-off score of 720. Only candidates nominated for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) were invited at the latest draw, which is why the (CRS) Comprehensive Ranking System cut was so high. Applicants nominated by the Express Entry-aligned PNPs will automatically add 600 points to their overall score.

The third Canada Express Entry 2021 draw was held on January 20. Under this draw IRCC invited 374 candidates, from the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) with a minimum score of 741. The cut-off means that only 141 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points were needed for candidates because of their human capital characteristics. By obtaining a provincial nomination, they gained the remaining 600 points. The third Canada Express Entry 2021 draw also saw the IRCC issue additional invitations and reduce the CRS cut-off score compared to the last PNP-only draw. The cut-off score in that draw was 813.

Canada held the first two program-specific Express Entry draws on January 6 and January 7 of 2021. The draw on January 6 invited 250 PNP candidates, while the draw on January 7 invited 4,750 CEC candidates. IRCC kept program-specific draws at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 to justify those specific candidates were more likely to prevent COVID-related problems.

Express Entry is the keyway in which Canada welcomes professional workers who wish to acquire permanent Canadian residency. Under the Immigration Level Plan 2021-2023, Canada plans to accept an average of 110,000 immigrants each year under Canada Express Entry 2021. Express Entry is a two-step process. In step one, candidates who qualify under at least one of the three programs referred to above will upload their profile to the IRCC website. They get a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on their human resources, such as education, age, language skills and work experience.
In the second step, IRCC holds Express Entry draws about every two weeks and issues permanent residency Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to applicants with the highest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores. If an applicant receives an ITA, they can apply to the IRCC for permanent residence. Applicants can earn an additional 600 CRS points if they receive an invitation via the Express Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), ensuring they can successfully obtain an ITA for permanent residence.


The PNP is the second primary way in which Canada welcomes skilled workers. Most territories and provinces in Canada operate their immigration selection programs through the PNP to welcome qualified newcomers who can better meet their local labour market needs. Candidates who meet the Express Entry-aligned PNP stream requirements are entitled to receive an additional 600 CRS points on condition that they receive a provincial nomination invitation. To date, IRCC has issued 5,374 ITAs, more than the quantity it issued at the same time in 2020.

Despite Covid-19, Express Entry had a record-breaking year in 2020. Canada released 107,350 ITAs last year, and goals are set to increase over the coming years as Canada looks forward to accepting more immigrants to help its post-COVID economic recovery. Make the most of this fantastic opportunity and apply for immigration to the country of your dreams through The Immigration Consultants (TIC).