Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its fourth Express Entry draw of 2022 on February 16. 1082 candidates were invited to apply for permanent residency through this draw, successfully breaking the previous record once again. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement was 710 in this draw.
Provincially nominated candidates get 600 additional points in their CRS score. This is the reason for a significantly higher cut-off score in Express Entry draw for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Invited candidates will have to apply within 60 days now for a Canadian permanent residence.
IRCC has invited only PNP candidates for the past 4 months. This is the third consecutive time when over 1000 PNP candidates were invited. The last draw held for CEC (Canadian Experience Class) candidates was on September 14th, and the latest all-program draw was held in Dec 2020.
New targets for 2022
The Government of Canada earlier planned to admit 411,000 newcomers in 2022 and 81,500 through the PNP alone. But they updated the targets this month. On February 14 Canada announced new immigration targets for the coming years in its latest Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024.
According to this plan, Canada aims to welcome 432,000 immigrants in 2022. Out of those, 83,500 newcomers would be through the Provincial Nominee Program and another 55,900 newcomers through various Express Entry managed programs.
Although the Express Entry targets have been reduced this year, the Canadian government plans to return to normal target levels in 2024. IRCC has set the aim to welcome 111,500 immigrants in 2024 through the Express Entry draw.
Provincial Nominee Program or PNP
PNP is a program that allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals who want to settle and work in a particular province. Almost all provinces operate the PNP and welcome thousands of immigrants every year for permanent residence.
The provinces nominate candidates who meet their labour market requirements and job criteria. The candidate can either apply directly through the Express Entry system of the respective province or can show this nomination in the Express Entry profile. A provincial nomination grants an additional 600 points to their CRS score. This score enhances their chance of getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next Express Entry draw. After approval from IRCC, candidates have to complete the other formalities as mentioned by IRCC to complete the landing process.
System of Express Entry Draw
Express Entry System manages the immigration applications of skilled workers through three federal economic programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). It uses a point-based system, Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), to rank candidates’ profiles. Candidates get points based on their human and capital factors such as age, education, experience, etc. They can also get an additional 600 points with a nomination received through the Provincial Nominee Program of various provinces.
The highest scoring candidates are issued Invitation to Apply (ITA) through the Express Entry draw held every two weeks. This invitation enables them to apply for a Canadian permanent residence within 60 days of receiving it. Candidates have to follow the further procedures laid down by IRCC to complete their application process.
