Canada Extends Invitation to PNP Candidates in Latest Express Entry Draw

Canada Extends Invitation to PNP Candidates in Latest Express Entry Draw

In the recent Express Entry draw, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 1,548 candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). To be eligible, candidates need a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 776.  

The CRS score requirement in PNP-only draws is on the higher side as a PNP nomination is worth CRS 600 points in itself.

Overview of the previous Express Entry Draws since September 2023

On October 10, 3,725 candidates received Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in an all-program draw, with a minimum CRS requirement of 500. This draw followed earlier ones with varying criteria:

• Agriculture and agri-food occupations (Sept 28): 600 ITAs, minimum CRS 354.
• French language proficiency (Sept 27): 500 ITAs, minimum CRS 472.
• All-program (Sept 26): 3,000 ITAs, minimum CRS 504.
• Transport occupations (Sept 20): 1,000 ITAs, minimum CRS 435.
• All-program (Sept 19): 3,200 ITAs, minimum CRS 531.

No Upfront Medical Examination

As of October 1, Express Entry candidates no longer need to undergo an upfront Immigration Medical Examination (IME) before submitting their permanent resident application to IRCC. Candidates can submit a blank document in the upload field and receive instructions for the medical examination later. If you have already completed an IME as part of another IRCC application, you won’t need a second IME.

Why Category-Based Express Entry Draws?

Canada has introduced category-based draws to select candidates who align with Canada’s goals of economic growth and French language promotion outside of Quebec. The change stemmed from a 2022 amendment to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), granting the immigration minister authority to select Express Entry candidates that can help with Canada’s language and developmental goals.

To achieve these objectives, six new categories were established, focusing on high-demand occupations and individuals with proficiency in French language. Categories include:

• Healthcare
• STEM professions
• Trades
• Transport
• Agriculture and agri-food

Understanding Express Entry

Express entry is a system designed for managing applications of candidates who wish to immigrate to Canada through various immigration programs. These programs include:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

These programs use a tool called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank applicants. The ranking depends on several key factors such as:

• Work experience
• Occupation
• Education
• Age
• Language Proficiency

Each factor has a specific point value. Candidates with a good CRS score are more likely to get an Invitation to Apply for Canadian immigration in the upcoming Express Entry Draw.

Eligibility criteria for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

The PNP is for those who:

• Possess the skills, education and work experience necessary to boost a province’s economy,
• Want to reside in that specific province, and
• Want to settle in Canada as a permanent resident.

Each province has its own streams and requirements.

Canada is reshaping its immigration landscape with the goal of welcoming 117,500 newcomers through the PNP annually by the end of 2025.

Canadian provinces and territories with PNPs -

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

There is no provincial nominee program in Quebec.

Want to know more about Express Entry and Canadian immigration changes? visit Kansas Overseas Careers. Free Consultation!