374 PNP candidates received ITAs for Canadian permanent residency in new Express Entry Draw

 Express Entry draw #173: January 20, 2021

Canada continues to conduct program-specific Express Entry round of invitations.

Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 374 candidates who previously received a nomination from an Express Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to apply for Canadian permanent residency in its third Express Entry draw of the year on January 20.

The draw had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) threshold of 741 – a significant reduction as compared with the last PNP-specific draw that took place on January 6 and had the cut-off of 813.

The IRCC applied a tie break in this draw and the time stamp used was September 5, 2020 at 19:39:04 UTC. That means all PNP candidates with a CRS score of and above 741 who had submitted their profiles in the Express Entry pool before this date & time, received Invitations To apply (ITAs) in this draw.

The Express Entry system is Canada’s primary source of skilled foreign workers. It manages the profiles of candidates under three Federal High Skilled economic class immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class and Canadian Experience Class.

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is the second most popular Canadian immigration program after Express Entry. Most of Canada’s provinces and territories have their own PNP streams (aligned with Federal Express Entry System and not aligned with Express Entry) that allow them to welcome foreign skilled professionals/workers who can help address their local labour market needs.

Candidates, who meet the selection criteria of an Express Entry-aligned PNP stream and successfully receive a provincial nomination invitation, can obtain additional 600 points toward their CRS Scores. This effectively guarantees them an ITA in subsequent Express Entry Draw.

Canada held its first two program-specific Express Entry draws of 2021 on January 6 and January 7.  However, in coming weeks IRCC can conduct all-program round of invitations to enable FSWP and FSTP candidates to also obtain ITAs for permanent residency.

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Ontario invited 484 Express Entry candidates in first PNP draw of 2021 on January 13

 The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) conducted its first immigration draw of the year on January 13.

Total 484 invitations or Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to apply for provincial nomination were issued to Express Entry candidates through OINP’s two provincial pathways — the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream and Skilled Trades Stream.

BREAKTHROUGH OF INVITATIONS

Stream : French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream Total NOIs issued:146-CRS score: Between 456 and 460

Stream:Skilled Trades Stream Total NOIs issued: 338 CRS score: Between 434 and 460

In order to receive an NOI in this draw, candidates were required to have their Express Entry profiles created between January 13, 2020, and January 13, 2021.

The French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream of OINP is designed for Express Entry candidates who speak English and French. In order to apply under this stream, applicants have to fulfill the eligibility requirements of the Canadian Experience Class, or the Federal Skilled Worker Program. They need a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of at least seven in French, and at least 6 in English, among other eligibility requirements.

The Skilled Trades Stream allows the OINP to search the Express Entry pool for candidates currently living in Ontario who have a minimum of one-year full-time work experience or the equivalent in part-time work, in a skilled trade listed in Minor Group 633 or Major Group 72, 73, or 82 under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC).

While candidates do not need a job offer to apply under either the Skilled Trades or French-Speaking Skilled Worker Streams, candidates must meet all the mandatory federal and provincial requirements specified by the OINP.

Candidates who received invitations in this draw will get an additional 600 points towards their overall Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score if they successfully receive a provincial nomination from the OINP.

Find out your eligibility for Canadian immigration!!

To find out if you’re eligible for immigration to Canada, simply complete our FREE ASSESSMENT FORM! A member of the WWICS team will review your eligibility and contact you to discuss your options to immigrate to Canada!

Prince Edward Island Invited 195 Immigration Candidates in New PNP Draw on December 17

The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) issued total 195 invitations for a provincial nomination for Canadian Permanent Residency in its last scheduled immigration draw of the year on December 17.

Candidates under the Express Entry, Labour Impact, and Business Impact streams of PEI PNP received invites in this draw.

Distribution of invitations

Out of the total 195 invitations issued, 174 went to Express Entry and Labour Impact candidates, while the remaining 21 were issued to Business Impact candidates who had a minimum point threshold of 85.

PEI PNP’s Express Entry Category is for candidates with a profile in the federal Express Entry system.

Express Entry candidates, who would like to be considered for a provincial nomination from the province, need to create a separate Expression of interest (EOI) profile with the PEI PNP.

These profiles are given a score on the basis of information provided in their EOI based on factors such as education, work experience and proficiency in English or French. The highest-ranked candidates are invited to apply for a provincial nomination through regular draws.

Express Entry candidates with a provincial nomination get an additional 600 point toward their overall Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which effectively guarantees them an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in a subsequent Express Entry draw.

PEI PNP’s Labour Impact Category is not aligned with the Express Entry system and is designed for foreign nationals with a valid job offer in the province and support from a PEI employer.

Candidates in this category may fall under three possible streams: Skilled Worker (in PEI and outside Canada), Critical Worker and International Graduate.

PEI PNP’s Business Impact: Work Permit Stream is for individuals interested in owning and operating a business on the island. This stream also operates on a points-based EOI system.

Find out if you are eligible for Canadian immigration!!

To find out if you’re eligible for immigration to Canada, simply complete our FREE ASSESSMENT FORM! A member of the WWICS team will review your eligibility and contact you to discuss your options to immigrate to Canada!