The year 2021 is so far so good in terms of Express Entry draws. The Canadian immigration office has already begun the year strongly. IRCC is continuously releasing draws allowing the candidates to apply for permanent residency. So far, 12 “Express Entry” draws have been issued which allowed about 49,1390 candidates to apply for PR.
In February 2021 IRCC Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada held a massive Express Entry draw. More than 27,330 principal candidates were invited, who were required a minimum of CRS 75 to get the invitation. It was historically the lowest score for an invitation to apply for permanent residency. These candidates needed to be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) to be invited.
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
Canada is looking to welcome about 1.2 million immigrants in 3 years (2021-2023), with an average of 110,000 per annum set to arrive via the Express Entry system.
Express Entry Draws for 2021 so far:
| Date | Draw | Number of ITA’s | Lowest CRS Scores |
| 6/1/2021 (PNP) | 1 | 250 | 813 |
| 7/1/2021 (CEC) | 2 | 4,750 | 461 |
| 20/1/2021 (PNP) | 3 | 374 | 741 |
| 21/1/2021 (CEC) | 4 | 4,626 | 454 |
| 10/2/2021 (PNP) | 5 | 654 | 720 |
| 13/2/2021 (CEC) | 6 | 27,332 | 75 |
| 08/3/2021 (PNP) | 7 | 671 | 739 |
| 17/03/2021 (PNP) | 8 | 183 | 682 |
| 18/03/2021 (CEC) | 9 | 5,000 | 449 |
| 31/03/2021 (PNP) | 10 | 284 | 778 |
| 01/04/2021 (CEC) | 11 | 5,000 | 432 |
| 14/04/2021 | 12 | 266 | 753 |
Read here more about Canada’s Express Entry Program
Canada is promising to welcome 108,500 new immigrants via Express Entry-managed projects this year. The travel limitations are the big hurdle in the way of meeting this great goal, but the immigration minister is pretty much determined to put efforts on searching tracks for temporary residence in Canada to transformation to permanent residence.
Applying through Express Entry: In case if you are in Canada
In this case, this is the time to obtain your profile in the Express Entry system, as long as you are eligible. While your profile is in the pool waiting for an ITA, you should work hard to maximize your CRS scores, such as submitting new language test results or ECA Educational Credential Assessment.
Applying through Express Entry: In case you are outside Canada
According to a media release, the IRCC will continue welcoming skilled workers from abroad once the travel ban is lifted. It is a fact that travel restrictions are in the favor of all people in terms of life safety. Canadian Prime minister Justin Trudeau has said that everyone in Canada who wants a vaccine will be capable to get one by Sep 2021. But no one can predict when the travel restrictions will be lifted. When you decide the best time to submit your profile to the Express Entry Pool, keep in mind that this process can take months when you want to immigrate to Canada and you will actually be approved for permanent residence. A common way for expatriates to enter the pool is through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), which requires you to check your language test results and academic credentials. Each can take a few months to complete.
IRCC processing time
When you successfully obtain an invitation to apply, you have 90 days to apply for permanent residence. After your application submission, IRCC’s processing time is six months. Once your application is approved, you receive your Permanent Residence Confirmation (COP), which is valid until your medical examination or passport expires. This is the stage of the process that currently stands in the way of travel restrictions. CPR holders who were approved after March 18, 2020, are generally not allowed to come to Canada. To cross the border and complete their landing, they must be exempt from travel restrictions for some other reason like:
- coming for necessary work
- Reunion with family.
Read here more about Canada’s new immigration policy for 2021-2023
How Canada will achieve its immigration targets mainly depends on what it has done so far to do this. The best example is the number of “Express Entry Draws” which are being held at a normal rate as ever (about twice a month). From November 2020 to December 2020, Canada continuously held 4 draws with a maximum 5,000 number of invitations to apply. The history-making record came on the front when Canada invited 27,332 candidates to apply for PR on 13 February 2021 under the CEC stream. The efforts continue as foreign students have also been entertained (Alberta started an open work permit program for graduates) in terms of extending their stays in Canada. A new program has also been set up for the farmers to own farms in Canada. New Brunswick province is also still holding online immigration events for candidates around the world. International students have been allowed to travel to Canada if their DLI fulfills the required SOPs. Parents and grandparents category for sponsorship and visa was held too.
Canada is also working more and more on temporary immigrants in the country. The reason is they can settle easily than others coming from abroad. The latest draw of 13 February saw 27,332 candidates be invited to apply for PR under Canada Experience Class. Out of all these, almost 90% of candidates are already in Canada on temporary visa status.
| Immigration Levels Plan | 2021 | |
| project admissions – Targets | 401,000 | |
| project admissions – Ranges | LOW | High |
| Federal economic, Provincial nominees | 153600 | 208,500 |
| Refugees, Protected, humanitarian and compassionate | 43,500 | 68000 |
| Family reunification | 76000 | 105,000 |