Lowered minimum CRS score in the latest Express Entry draw

Canada conducted an unusual Express Entry draw on May 20, 2021. It was not expected and candidates were required to have a score of just 397 to be eligible.

It’s a rarity that an Express Entry draw featuring such a low requirement for qualifying score has ever been held. This has happened last time in the draw that was conducted on February 13, 2021. The cut-off score in that draw was just 75.

IRCC sent invites to 1,842 candidates who were possibly eligible for Canada PR via the CEC.

The cut-off time for the tie-break rule was published by IRCC, as the administrative requirements demanded. Candidates who had at least 397 as their score were invited only in case they submitted their Express Entry profile prior to the timestamp of April 24, 2021, at 12:09:24 UTC.

Express Entry in 2021 – An overview

In 2021, so far 68,317 candidates were invited. The number of invites sent this year is at a higher rate than last year. The reason may be that IRCC is holding draws of larger size, at times up to 6,000. Also, on February 13, 2021, IRCC sent invites to every CEC candidate available to apply for permanent residence Canada offered.

Canada has kept up the effort to bring in 401,000 new Canada PR visa holders, in 2021 amid travel restrictions due to COVID-19. IRCC has held draws consistently, targeting candidates already living in Canada. Both PNP and CEC candidates are there in Canada in large numbers.

The requirements of qualifying scores are very different in PNP and CEC draws. PNP candidates get 600 additional CRS points automatically. This sets their score requirements at a higher level.

CEC draws typically need lower scores. The reason for this stems from the fact that the candidates aren't engaged in competition with each other for invitations. This results in larger draw sizes. Such draws naturally lead to candidates with lower scores getting invited.

The previous CEC-only draw had a requirement of just 401 CRS points for its candidates.

About Express Entry

Express Entry is an online application management system. It deals with applications for 3 high-skilled immigration programs at the federal level namely FSTP, CEC, and FSWP.

Similar to the EOI system, Express Entry has a pool of profiles created and submitted by candidates interested in immigrating to Canada. These profiles are ranked by CRS which gives points to each profile. The points are given on the basis of human capital factors including education, work experience in skilled jobs, age, and skills in the official language (English/French).

IRCC issues ITAs to candidates with the highest scores via Express Entry draws. Those who receive the ITAs can go ahead and apply for Canada PR.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate to Canada, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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Note:

PR – Permanent Residence/Permanent Resident

CRS – Comprehensive Ranking System

EOI – Expression of Interest

ITA – Invitation to Apply

IRCC – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

FSWP – Federal Skilled Worker Program

FSTP – Federal Skill Trades Program

CEC – Canadian Experience Class