Canada is going extremely well on its way to welcome the targeted number of immigrants for 2021. Canada admitted about 22,425 permanent residents in March 2021. On the other hand, IRCC confirmed that there were welcomed 70,000 new immigrants in the first quarter of this year. These number are far more than of last years’.
As planned, 401,000 immigrants are to be admitted to the country this year. Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has invited record-breaking 44,124 immigration candidates in the first quarter of 2021 through Express Entry programs. The 1st quarter of 2021 was the highest since Express Entry was introduced back in 2015. Including this latest 17th express entry draw of May 14, 2021, Canada has so far invited 66,475 total candidates from PNP and CEC stream to apply for PR. This simply means Canada is really going on the right path for completing the target of 108,500 candidates through express entry this year.
Normally IRCC holds draws after 14 days and invites applicants with top CRS scorers. But the COVID-19 has temporarily deviated from this view. Now, the IRCC is focusing on inviting most likely Canadian-based express entry candidates during the pandemic. Currently, program-specific draws are the new norm.
Canadian immigration minister along with IRCC has surprised everyone during the first 4 months of 2021 where many difficult and outstanding decisions have been made. Some are as follows:
- Continuous draws of Express Entry
- Regulars invitations from Provinces
- 6th draw of Express Entry on 13 February with the biggest number of candidates invited in a single draw 27,332 with the least ever CRS score cut of 75
- The new public policy of Permanent residency for 90,000 candidates who are temporary workers in Canada in the health and care sector and other essential workers (you may read here complete details)
- The second big express entry draw with an invitation to 6,000 candidates (CEC) in the 13th draw of 2021
Canada’s famous immigration programs
Canada is well famous now for its two immigration programs:
- Federal Express Entry Program
- Provincial Nominee Program
- Federal Express Entry Program
Express Entry is an online application management system that aims to ensure faster processing and better economic outcomes for permanent residency in Canada under federal and some provincial programs. The process of Express Entry System works generally as under:
- Create an Express Entry profile
- Get the Registration done
- Obtain an ITA (invitation to apply for PR)
- Apply for permanent residence
- Get the PR or additionally work permit during your application is being processed
- Move to Canada
The program in total deals with the following three programs:
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- The Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FWSP)
2. Provincial Nominee Program
There are 10 Canadian provinces, with three territories to the north. The provinces are Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. The three territories are Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon. PNP currently has about 80 unique streams in the participating provinces and territories.
Each province and territory has its own “streams” (immigration programs that target certain groups) and requirements. For example, in a program stream, provinces and territories may target:
- students
- business people
- skilled workers
- semi-skilled workers
The PNP works for those who:
- want to live in that province
- want to become permanent residents of Canada
- have the skills, education, and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory
A better PNP stream related to the provincial nomination, namely Canada’s Express Entry System, will give the system a Comprehensive Rating System (CRS) score of 600 extra points. If you earn these extra points, it is practically guaranteed that you will receive an invitation from the Government of Canada to apply for permanent residency.
Check here for more details about the provincial Nominee programs of Canada.