On July 22, 4,500 Express Entry applicants were invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
Canada’s immigration department accepted candidates with minimum 357 points. To be invited, candidates must be eligible for Canadian Experience Class (CEC). They were also required to have the minimum score in order to be invited.
The previous CEC invitation round saw 4,500 applicants and the cutoff score of 369. The cutoff score for the CEC round prior was 369. This draw is the second-lowest score ever for a CEC draw. CEC candidates who scored at least 75 were invited by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on February 13.
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CEC and PNP draw
IRCC held only CEC- or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP-specific draws) throughout the pandemic. These candidates are more likely already to live in Canada and less likely to be affected by travel restrictions or public health measures.
Canada is beginning to relax its Coronavirus-related measures. In August, Canada’s border will reopen to non-essential travel for fully vaccinated U.S. travelers. In September, all fully vaccinated citizens from other countries will be able to cross the border. Direct flights to India remain suspended until August 21.
According to Canada’s immigration levels plan, Canada has set a goal to welcome 401,000 immigrants this year. Around 25% of them are eligible to enter Canada through Express Entry.
Canada has received almost twice the number of Express Entry applicants this year than it did last year. This large number is due to the February 13 draw, where every CEC-eligible applicant was invited by IRCC. The pool numbered 27,332 people.
PNP-only and CEC only draws have different requirements for scoring. PNP candidates automatically receive 600 points in addition to their score. CEC candidates do not compete for invitations from any other programs. IRCC therefore takes more from the top, allowing cutoff scores to drop into the lower levels.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry, a points-based system, manages immigration applications for three Federal High Skilled Programs, including the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program. Express Entry is also used by some PNPs to invite candidates for provincial nomination.
You will be awarded a score using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) if you are eligible to apply for Express Entry-managed programs. CRS points are based on skills and education.
Who was invited?
This is an example of someone who might have been invited to the Express Entry draw.
Shanice, 36, holds a bachelor’s degree and has been working as a database analyst in Canada for just over a year. She worked in her field for six years before moving to Canada. Shanice is proficient in English. With a CRS score 456, she would have been eligible for an ITA in Express Entry.
