Canada held a PNP-only Express Entry draw, issuing 1,047 Invitations to Apply (ITAs).

The March 2 draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 761, which was 51 points higher than the previous PNP lottery.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continue to avoid conducting all-program draws, the last of which took place in December 2020. It says it focuses on clearing the current significant backlog before it resumes issuing ITAs in larger numbers.

Canada has issued 4,627 invitations to PNP candidates so far in 2022.

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off for the 2nd march raw was 761. The minimum score was relatively high because PNP candidates get an automatic 600 points added to their score when they receive their nomination. Without the nomination, the lowest-scoring candidates would have had 161 base points.

IRCC issued a record 114,431 ITAs in 2021, all to Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and PNP candidates. It beat the previous record of 107,350 set in 2020. 

During the coronavirus crisis, IRCC has switched to draws for PNP and CEC candidates to focus on candidates already in Canada on work or study permits.

In the previous round of invitations, the IRCC called on a total of 1,082 PNP candidates to apply for immigration to Canada. This is a record of the number of express candidates invited in the invitation round.

Minister says draws for skilled workers to resume in “near future”

Canada has not held a Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) Express Entry draw since December 2020, and since September 2021 for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. Immigration minister Sean Fraser has introduced Canada's plans to get the immigration machine back on track

Amid growing fears that skilled immigrants would pick other countries over Canada, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser says he has his "full attention" to tackle the backlogs and create a more "nimble" system.

What is Express entry?

Express Entry is an immigration system used by Immigration and Nationality Canada (IRCC) on January 1, 2015 that manages skilled workers to help with government funding. These include the federal government workforce, the federal office of Canada Economic Development, and part of the state program.

It has  three Canadian immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Express Entry uses a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to evaluate candidate profiles. PNP candidates in the Express Entry pool have by now qualified for one of these programs. Applicants with the highest score will receive an invitation to apply (ITA) and can apply for permanent residence immediately.

What else should the candidate do?

Given the effects of the coronavirus, it is difficult to predict what CRS score will be needed to reach ITA by 2022. The score droped to 75 points in the 2021 record CEC draw. 

However, it is recommended to secure an approved offer of employment .