INTRODUCTION
February 2021 was a very active month for Canada Immigration. GLPO provided updates via Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram on numerous Canadian Immigration matters including:
1) Latest PNP Invitation Updates
2) Canada invites 654 PNP Candidates through Express Entry
3) Canada invited 27,332 CEC candidates in historic draw
4) Saskatchewan invited 299 Express Entry candidates
We at GLPO post regular updates on our Google, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram handles. Additionally, we also periodically send out GLPO Newsletters when the subject matter is extensive and relevant for a detailed analysis. Presented below is a consolidated summary of updates posted on GLPO’s Google, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram handles for February 2021.
LATEST PNP INVITATION UPDATES
Ontario invited immigration candidates in the Express Entry pool to apply for a provincial nomination, on February 2. A total of 283 candidates were invited, with Comprehensive Ranking System scores between 466 and 467.
Ontario held another draw on February 16, inviting 1,186 immigration candidates with work experience in the tech sector to apply for a provincial nomination. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued the invitations to Express Entry candidates with CRS score requirement between 453 and 467.
British Columbia held a draw through its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) on February 2, 2021. A total of 208 Skilled Worker and International Graduate candidates received invitations to apply for a provincial nomination under the province’s Express Entry BC (EEBC) and Skills Immigration categories. The cut-off scores for Express Entry BC subcategories were 104 for skilled worker and 100 for International Graduate.
In another draw British Columbia issued 74 invitations to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence on February 9. The (BC PNP) Tech Pilot draw issued invitations to candidates under the Express Entry BC and Skills immigration categories with a minimum provincial score of 80.
In a third draw British Columbia invited 494 immigration candidates in two separate Provincial Nominee Program draws held on February 16, 2021. A total of 459 invitations went to candidates from the Skills Immigration (SI) and Express Entry BC (EEBC) streams of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP).
Manitoba invited 218 immigration candidates to apply for a provincial nomination on January 28. Through this draw skilled workers and international graduates were invited through three immigration streams of Skilled Workers in Manitoba, International Education Stream and Skilled Workers Overseas. And in another draw Manitoba invited 296 immigration candidates in its latest Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on February 12, 2021.
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) invited 541 candidates for a provincial nomination for PR through the draw held on February 11, 2021.
Alberta invited Express Entry candidates to apply for a provincial nomination on February 10. The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program invited a total of 200 Express Entry candidates to apply for the Alberta Express Entry stream. Invited candidates only needed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 301.
CANADA INVITED 654 PNP CANDIDATES THROUGH EXPRESS ENTRY
On February 10, 2021, Canada held an Express Entry draw, in which invitations were issued to 654 Express Entry Candidates who received a provincial nomination. A CRS score of 720 was required to get an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Only candidates who received a nomination from a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) were invited in this draw.
Candidates who receive nomination from Express Entry-aligned PNPs automatically get 600 points added to their CRS Score, which is why the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut off was so high. This draw saw the CRS score fall 21 points lower than that of the previous PNP-specific round of invitations held on January 20, 2021. This draw brings the total number of invitations issued in 2021 so far to 10,654. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 was a record-breaking year for Express Entry and 2021 is expected to be even bigger as IRCC has raised the immigration targets.
CANADA INVITED 27,332 CEC CANDIDATES IN HISTORIC DRAW
On February 13, 2021 Canada held an unprecedented Express Entry draw, in which invitations were issued to 27,332 candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This unexpected draw only required candidates to have a CRS score of 75 – the lowest CRS requirement ever. This draw was almost six times larger than the largest Express Entry draws ever (5,000 ITAs issued in four draws between November and December 2020).
Prior to this, the lowest CRS cut-off requirement ever was 199 points in 2017 Express Entry draw which invited the Federal Skilled Trades Program Candidates (FSTP). This draw shows that Canada is committed to achieve its goal of welcoming 400,000 immigrants in the next few years. Canada’s immigration minister recently said that the IRCC will make efforts to achieve its immigration targets by transitioning more temporary residents to permanent residents during the pandemic.
SASKATCHEWAN INVITED 299 EXPRESS ENTRY CANDIDATES
Saskatchewan held a new draw on February 25, 2021 inviting candidates to apply for a nomination for Canadian permanent residence. The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) invited 299 candidates from the International Skilled worker: Saskatchewan Express Entry sub-category.
In this latest round, Saskatchewan sent invitations to candidates who already had profiles in the federal express entry pool and filled out an Expression of Interest (EOI) for Saskatchewan. Candidates needed an EOI score of at least 70 to be invited. They also need work experience in one of the 70 in-demand occupations listed on the official website.
The SINP uses the EOI system to select candidates. Candidates are given a score out of 100 according to the points Assessment Grid based on their work experience, education, language ability, age, and connections to the province.
SIGN UP FOR GLPO NEWSLETTER
At GLPO, we will continue to follow further developments in the above discussed and other matters, while we provide updates through our Newsletter as and when they become available. GLPO receives numerous emails and phone calls every day seeking comments on various proposed bills and media reports that are often inaccurate. It is our job to separate fact from fiction and advice clients on important and relevant updates. The best way to receive accurate information is through GLPO Newsletters.
We encourage you (and your employees) to sign up for GLPO Newsletter. If you have not already signed up to receive our Newsletters, please do so by visiting www.gokarelpo.in and signing up under the Newsletter Tab. All we need is your name and email address which takes very little time to sign up. You can also review all our earlier GLPO Newsletters on our website.