Skip to content

Express Entry: 654 PNP candidates receive ITAs (5th Draw of 2021)

Express Entry: Round of invitations Latest Draw (5th ITA Draw of 2021, PNP only)

Canada invites 654 those candidates to apply for express entry PR who have a provincial nomination.

Canada continues the same pattern which it adopted at the very beginning of 2021 by issuing separate draws for Federal Express Entry and PNP. Once again a separate PNP Draw for the Express Entry Canada program with a CRS score of 720 ( a 21 less than last time).

Candidates who get provincial nominations, get extra 600 points which gives them a huge edge over others. The candidates who scored a minimum of 720 have been sent invitations to apply for permanent residency.

Details of latest “Express Entry” round of invitations

Ministerial Instructions respecting invitations to apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry system #175– February 10, 2021

  • A number of invitations issued: 654
  • Rank required to be invited to apply: 654th or above
  • Date and time of round: February 10, 2021, at 14:31:18 UTC
  • CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 720
  • Tie-breaking rule:  August 14, 2020, at 06:51:00 UTC (If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.)

CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of February 8, 2021

CRS score rangeNumber of candidates
601-1200603
501-6001,027
451-50026,177
491-500603
481-4901,555
471-4803,823
461-4709,047
451-46011,149
401-45047,731
441-45011,371
431-44011,352
421-4307,818
411-4208,079
401-4109,111
351-40048,585
301-35025,297
0-3003,294
Total152,714
Results courtesy IRCC

CRS Score Cut

The Canadian government issues 720 more invitations to apply to express entry candidates who have the provincial nomination. This is called a comprehensive ranking system. Points are awarded to candidates based on human capital such as age, education, work experience, and proficiency in English or French.

Strong French language skills will be beneficial for you. It does not matter even if it is your second language. You can obtain up to 50 additional points by showing your skills for reading, listening, writing, and Speaking.

How candidates receive invitations to apply for PR?

The candidates are assessed according to the CRS Comprehensive Ranking System. This is a point-based system. An invitation to apply for permanent residence is sent to those who obtain the highest scores. Which Immigration Program (Goal) is included in this period (some invitations may invite candidates for only 1 program, such as only from Federal Skilled Trades)

Read here about Canada’s new immigration policy

How the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) works?

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.

How to apply for PNP through Express Entry?

Applying online

Provincial Nomination Programs can mainly be used for the Express Entry stream. In the online Express Entry process, there are 2 ways to apply:

1- By getting Provincial Nomination first

Through this process, the candidates contact the province or territory and apply for a nomination under an Express Entry stream. If the province or territory agrees to nominate them, they create an Express Entry profile (or update their profile if they already have one) and show they have been nominated.

2- Directly through Express Entry

In the second option, candidates can create an Express Entry profile and show the provinces and territories that they are interested in. If a province or territory sends them a “notification of interest” to their account, they contact them directly. If a candidate is nominated, the province will offer it to them through their account and they accept it electronically.

Applying on paper

Application for the PNP program can also be made on paper (application processing times are longer than through Express Entry.). For doing so, the candidates:

  • apply to the province or territory for nomination under a non-Express Entry stream.
  • need to meet the eligibility requirements of the province that nominates them.

Once the candidates are nominated, they:

  • submit a paper-based application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.
  • pass a medical exam and get a police check (certificate). Everyone must have these checks, no matter where you plan to live in Canada.

Professional category-wise relevance of the province’s immigration

1- Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program without a job offer

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) is another option for international applicants without a job offer. There are two highly active categories in Saskatchewan’s International Skilled Worker category that do not require a job offer. The first is a series linked to the Saskatchewan Express entry, however, applying requires a person with an active profile in the federal express system. The second Saskatchewan profession is the demand stream, which is not required. It brings in skilled workers who are able to meet the labor needs in Saskatchewan. Applicants must have at least one year of experience in a position on the Saskatchewan students’ list of demanding professions in order to qualify.

2- Nova Scotia Nomination Program (NSNP) without a job offer

Nova Scotia Nomination Program (NSNP) is Canada’s most comprehensive and innovative provincial representative program. NSNP uses four streams to select express entry candidates. The NSNP Express searches for entries and identifies candidates with work experience in specific occupations. Although Physical Stream requires a job offer to meet labor market preferences (specifically, as a physician to the Nova Scotia Health Authority), Nova Scotia demands. The Nova Scotia Experience And Nova Scotia’s labor market preferences (other than physicians) do not require job offers to applicants.

3- Ontario’s without job OINP stream 

Finally, Ontario’s Immigrant Nomination Program (OINP), “Human Capital Preferences” series is a more popular choice for those without a job offer. There are three express entry categories in this regard and it is actively issuing invitations to immigration candidates even in 2020. While a job offer is not required, you need to consider an active entry and work experience and will be invited to apply to this stream.

4- Best PNP provinces for Tech related workers

There are two notable PNP routes for tech workers that run through the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. From time to time, Ontario conducts dedicated “tech draws” within the Human Capital Priority stream linked to the Ontario Express registration. It targets people who have experience working in one of six specific designs, such as computer engineers and web designers. No job offer required. BC’s tech pilots, meanwhile, select immigration candidates to apply for provincial nominations on an almost weekly basis. This pilot works on the path of BC Skills Immigration. The pilot has the ability to offer a job in any of the 29 designated technology professions.

5- Best PNP province for French-speaking candidates

Outside of the French-speaking province of Quebec, there are other PNPs that offer francophones or bilingual applicants. They say OINP’s Express Entry-linked French-speaking Skilled Worker allows the province to find an Express Entry Pool for candidates who are French-speaking skilled workers and who have English in addition to other selection criteria. The series has been active for the past six months, releasing about 700 invitations to apply.

The provinces that offer PNP stream-based immigration

Provinces that run PNP (provincial nominee program)

Provinces that their own immigration program

Territories

  • Yukon
  • Northwest Territories
  • Nunavut

Some other regional programs