Canada has set the most ambitious immigration goals on record for 2021, but COVID-19 regulations have restricted Canadian immigration programs’ ability to function normally. We are now eagerly awaiting when the next Express Entry draw date 2021 will take place.
Canada will be seeking the highest level of immigration in its history. Over the next three years, Canada will aim to receive permanent residents’ in the following phase. 401,000 immigrants in 2021, another 411,000 in 2022, and 421,000 in 2023. Canada unveiled its 2021-2023 Immigration Level Strategy.
Canada’s last time accepted more than 400,000 immigrants in a year was in 1913, when 401,000 newcomers were admitted. It’s never been similar to this number before. The Immigration Level Plan 2021-2023 aims to accept about 60 per cent of all immigrants under economic class programmes, including Express Entry and the Provincial Candidate Scheme.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is an online application management method that aims to ensure faster processing and better economic outcomes for permanent residence in Canada under federal and regional programs. Candidates who meet the suitability criteria will submit a profile to the Express Entry pool, known as the Expression of Interest (EOI). The most important feature of the Express Entry Program is to provide complete and correct information/documentation and to obtain an ITA. You cannot apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry Program without an invitation. To receive an invitation, you must be selected from a pool of applicants competing for an invitation.
Next Express Entry Draw Date 2021
Typically, an Express Entry draw is on a Wednesday every two weeks. There are occurrences where a PNP draw was held on a Wednesday, and the next day a CEC draw is held on a Thursday. The most recent Express Entry Draw was #176 on February 13, 2021. Canada has made a statement of intent on its commitment to immigration by issuing 27,332 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score as low as 75 in the historic Express Entry draw.
The February 13 2021, Canadian Experience Class draw – the first to take place on a Saturday since the system was launched in 2015 – has obliterated the record for the most ITAs and the lowest minimum CRS score. Due to the coronavirus/COVID-19, many immigration issues may be changeable, but we presume that the next date will be after two weeks from the previous one. Bear in mind that the recent draw was more than five times the last record-high draw’s size, so it is likely that there could be a break from draws.
During the year, the federal government issues invitations at regular intervals, IRCC has now issued 37,986 ITAs through six draws to start 2021, see below the Express Entry Draws held so far in 2021:
| Draw | Date | Number of Invitations | Lowest CRS Score |
| 06 | 2021-02-13 | 27,332 | 75 |
| 05 | 2021-02-10 | 654 | 720 |
| 04 | 2021-01-21 | 4,626 | 454 |
| 03 | 2021-01-20 | 374 | 741 |
| 02 | 2021-01-07 | 4,750 | 461 |
| 01 | 2021-01-06 | 250 | 813 |