On February 1, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held an Express Entry draw specifically for candidates who have been nominated through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). A total of 667 invitations were issued in the draw, with a minimum score of 787 required to receive an invitation.
This draw is part of IRCC’s efforts to support the Canadian government’s goal of increasing immigration levels in 2023 and beyond. The PNP is a popular pathway for skilled workers and graduates to immigrate to Canada, and the Express Entry system allows candidates to be considered for immigration to Canada based on their age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and other factors.
PNP candidates who receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry are awarded an additional 600 points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, effectively guaranteeing that they will be invited to apply for permanent residence in a subsequent Express Entry draw.
In recent years, PNP streams have become increasingly popular, as they provide a more targeted pathway to permanent residence for candidates who have specific skills or work experience that are in demand in a particular province or territory. In 2022, over 50,000 candidates were nominated for permanent residence through PNPs across Canada, an increase from 47,000 nominations in 2021.
Overall, the recent Express Entry draw is a positive development for immigration candidates who have been nominated through a PNP and are looking to make Canada their home. It also highlights the importance of PNPs in Canada’s immigration system and the government’s commitment to welcoming skilled workers and graduates to Canada through various immigration pathways.
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