First Express Entry Draw of 2021
Canada invited total 250 Express Entry candidates who have provincial nominations to apply for permanent residency in its first immigration draw of 2021 on January 6.

The invitations to apply (ITAs) have been issued to candidates who had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 813.

Immigration candidates, who obtain nominations from an Express Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), automatically receive 600 points toward their overall CRS score. This is the reason that CRS cut-off score for this invitation round was quite high as compared to previous draws.

The Express Entry system is Canada's primary source of skilled foreign workers. It manages the profiles of candidates under three Federal High Skilled economic class immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class and Canadian Experience Class.

Eligible candidates enter the Express Entry pool, where they are issued a CRS score based on their age, education, skilled work experience and proficiency in English or French, among other factors.

A set number of highest-ranked candidates are then invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence through regular draws from the pool.