Canada Express Entry Draw #214 | 1,036 PNP Candidates Invited

Canada invited 1,036 Express Entry PNP candidates in the latest draw. On January 19, 2022, IRCC issued invitations to PNP candidates in the Express Entry pool to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Draw Number: 214
Date of Draw: January 19, 2022
Number of Invitations Issued: 1,036
Minimum CRS: 745
Program Specified: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Tie-breaking rule: July 05, 2021

Individuals who received an invitation to apply in today’s draw held a nominee certificate from a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) allow provinces across Canada to hand-select newcomers that fill labour market or demographic gaps. Many PNPs operate through the Express Entry system. After an Express Entry candidate accepts a nomination on their online profile, an additional 600 points are added to their CRS score.  These additional points essentially guarantee the candidate an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in one of the federal Express Entry draws.

Prior to receiving a nomination, the lowest-ranking candidate had a CRS score of just 145.

This is the tenth consecutive PNP-only Express Entry draw. IRCC has been holding smaller PNP-specific draws since September.

When will all-program Express Entry draws resume?

IRCC is currently working toward eliminating a backlog of applications leftover from the pandemic. According to an internal memo from IRCC, Canada will continue to hold smaller, PNP Express Entry draws until they have tackled the application backlog leftover from the pandemic.

Though all-program draws have paused, provinces have continued to use the Express Entry pool to recruit immigration candidates. Having a profile in the Express Entry pool will ensure you don’t miss an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in case a province is looking for your skills, or if an all-program draw is held.

How can I be nominated by a province?

Each province operates their own nominee programs, each with its own requirements; many require a connection to the province to apply (work experience, a job offer, a family member, or education in the province). Other programs may operate with an Expression of Interest (EOI) system.

Many PNPs also hold draws and invite candidates directly from Canada’s Express Entry pool to apply for nomination. These requirements often change from draw to draw in response to labour market needs. For this reason, just by having an Express Entry profile, there is always a chance of receiving an invitation to apply for a nomination.

Canada's Next Express Entry Draw

The Government of Canada does not release details on when each Express Entry draw will be held ahead of time.

However, according to information obtained via an access to information request, IRCC’s immigration backlog of 1.8 million applications had grown by more than 21,000 applications from December to October. Since Canada will not hold a CEC or FSW draw until the backlog is under control, the next Express Entry draw will likely be another PNP-specific draw.

Following the pattern from the latest PNP Express Entry draws, the next draw will likely be February 2, 2022.

Immigration targets in 2022

Canada aims to welcome a record 411,000 newcomers in 2022. This is the highest level ever targeted in Canadian history. Included in this total, Canada plans to target 241,500 economic newcomers, including:

• 110,500 Federal Skilled Workers, Federal Skilled Trades, and Canadian Experience Class candidates
• 81,500 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates

A total of 1,428 candidates have been invited in Express Entry draws so far this year.

Interested in learning more about your options to immigrate to Canada? Complete our free online assessment today!