INTRODUCTION
March 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 671 PNP Candidates through Express Entry
3) Canada invites 5,000 CEC candidates through Express Entry
4) Canada invites 284 PNP candidates through Express Entry
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 March 2021.
LATEST PNP INVITATION UPDATES
Ontario invited immigration candidates in the Express Entry pool to apply for a provincial nomination, on March 2. A total of 754 candidates were invited, with Comprehensive Ranking System scores between 463 and 467. The targeted occupations included nurses, business managers and accountants, among others.
Ontario held another draw on March 3, inviting 126 immigration candidates through the French-Speaking Skilled Worker (FSSW) stream. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued the invitations to Express Entry candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores between 455 and 467.
British Columbia held a draw through its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) on March 2, 2021. A total of 444 candidates belonging to Skilled Worker, International Graduate, and entry level and semi-skilled sub-categories received invitations to apply for a provincial nomination under the province’s Express Entry BC (EEBC) and Skills Immigration categories. The minimum required score for ranged between 83 and 97.
In another draw British Columbia issued 95 invitations to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence on March 9. The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Tech Pilot draw issued invitations to candidates under the Express Entry BC and Skills immigration categories. Selected candidates who were from the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories needed a minimum provincial score of 80.
In a third round British Columbia invited 506 immigration candidates in two separate Provincial Nominee Program draws held on March 16, 2021. Invitations were issued to candidates from the Skills Immigration (SI) and Express Entry BC (EEBC) streams of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). The minimum provincial score requirement ranged between 81 and 114.
In yet another round, British Columbia held a Tech Pilot draw through its Provincial Nominee Program, under the Express Entry BC and Skills Immigration Categories on March 23. A total of 95 candidates were invited from the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories and needed a minimum provincial score of 80.
In a fifth round, British Columbia invited 374 immigration candidates in two PNP draws held on March 30. A total of 330 candidates were invited from the Skilled Worker, International Graduate as well as Entry level and Semi-Skilled sub-categories of SI and EEBC streams. Minimum scores ranged between 81 and 96. There was also a separate draw conducted for retail and wholesale trade managers (NOC 0621) and restaurant and food service managers (NOC 0631), where 44 invitations were issued to candidates with a minimum score of 113.
Manitoba invited 299 immigration candidates to apply for a provincial nomination on March 11. Through this draw skilled workers and international graduates were invited through three immigration streams namely Skilled Workers in Manitoba, International Education Stream and Skilled Workers Overseas.
In another draw Manitoba invited 335 immigration candidates to apply for provincial nomination on March 25. The Expression of Interest score for the Skilled Workers stream, Skilled Workers Overseas was 423 and 711 respectively while the International Education stream had no EOI score requirement.
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) invited 248 candidates for a provincial nomination for PR through the draw held on March 11, 2021. Candidates needed an Expression of Interest (EOI) score of at least 71 to be invited.
In another draw, Saskatchewan invited 418 candidates from the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, specifically from the International Skilled Worker Category, on March 24. Candidates needed an EOI score of at least 70 to be invited.
Alberta invited Express Entry candidates to apply for a provincial nomination on March 02. 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.
In another draw, Alberta immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) invited a total of 300 Express Entry candidates to apply for the Alberta Express Entry stream, on March 26. Candidates needed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score of at least 301.
Prince Edward Island has invited 150 candidates through its Provincial Nominee Program. Candidates were invited from the Express Entry, Labour Impact, and the Business Impact categories.
Nova Scotia invited 329 French-speaking candidates through its Express Entry-linked Labour Market Priorities stream on March 29. There was no minimum CRS score associated with the draw, but Letters of Interest were issued to candidates who had selected French as their first official language, with a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 9 or higher in all French language abilities.
CANADA INVITES 671 PNP CANDIDATES THROUGH EXPRESS ENTRY
Canada has invited 671 Express Entry candidates to apply for permanent residence, on March 8. All the invited candidates had previously received a nomination from a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and so the minimum score requirement was high and was placed at 739.
Express Entry candidates who get a provincial nomination are automatically given 600 points which add to their comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This draw brings the total number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to 38,657 this year
CANADA INVITES 5000 CEC CANDIDATES THROUGH EXPRESS ENTRY
On March 18, 2021 Canada invited 5,000 Express Entry candidates to apply for Permanent Residence. This draw was restricted to candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) with a CRS cut-off score requirement of 449.
The eligibility requirements for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) includes one year of full-time skilled work experience in Canada with intermediate official language skills, among others.
This is the first CEC draw since the record-shattering draw on February 13, which invited more than 27,000 candidates with Canadian Work Experience.
CANADA INVITES 284 PNP CANDIDATES IN LATEST EXPRESS ENTRY DRAW
On March 31, 2021, Canada invited 284 Express Entry candidates to apply for permanent residence. This draw was restricted to candidates who received a nomination from the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the CRS cut-off score was 778 to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
The new score seems high but PNP candidates automatically get 600 points added to their CRS score once they receive a nomination. As per the tie-break rule, candidates who had the minimum score of 778 were only included if their Express Entry profile was submitted before March 16, 2021 at 16:09:32 UTC.
This draw coupled with the previous draws seems to suggest that IRCC is continuing to prioritize in-Canada immigration applicants, while travel restrictions are still in place.
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.