Canada Express Entry & PNP: What the 2021 Mega Draw Taught Us

4 Key Lessons from Canada’s Largest Express Entry Draw and Why They Still Matter

Back in February 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made history by issuing an incredible 27,332 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a single Express Entry draw — all to Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. Even more shocking? The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off was just 75 points. Yes, you read that right. Seventy-five!

Fast forward to today, and while the Express Entry system has evolved, that record-breaking draw still offers important lessons for hopeful Canadian immigrants. With IRCC recently issuing over 30,000 ITAs in a 30-day span, it’s clear that Express Entry is as dynamic as ever. Whether you’re aiming for a federal draw, a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) invitation, or a category-based round, being ready and informed makes all the difference.

Key Highlights

• Entering the Express Entry pool early gives you more chances to be selected
• You might receive an ITA before your CRS score increases
• Understanding the tie-breaking rule is essential for timing your submission
• Keeping your profile updated and aligned with current immigration trends boosts your odds

Lesson 1: Join the Express Entry Pool As Soon As You Can

Here’s the golden rule: you can’t get picked for immigration if you’re not in the race. Many candidates hesitate to create their Express Entry profile because they think their CRS score is too low. But recent trends show that waiting on the sidelines could mean missing out on unexpected opportunities.

IRCC is now holding category-based selection rounds that target specific occupations and skills. Some of these draws have had CRS cut-offs in the high 300s — far more accessible than traditional all-program draws.

Also, four of the ten largest Express Entry draws ever took place in just the past two years. These high-volume draws often come with lower CRS thresholds, which means even candidates with modest scores can get an ITA.

By delaying your entry into the pool, you risk missing:

• Large-scale or category-specific draws
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) invitations that require an active Express Entry profile
• Unforeseen policy changes that favour your occupation, language skills, or work experience

Remember, once you’re in the pool, you can always work on improving your profile — but if you’re not in, you won’t be seen at all.

Lesson 2: You Might Get Invited Before Your CRS Score Rises

Good news: the Express Entry system sometimes rewards potential, not just current points. Many candidates assume they need to wait for the next big boost — like another year of work experience or a new language credential — before they’ll get an ITA. But IRCC doesn’t always wait for the exact day your score improves.

For example, IRCC calculates work experience by month, not by exact date. So, if you started a job on January 27, 2025, you’d likely be considered to have one full year of experience by January 1, 2026 — not January 27. That means you could be eligible for an ITA a few weeks early if your profile is already active in the pool.

Many candidates have been pleasantly surprised to receive ITAs weeks or even months before they expected. That’s why it’s so important to:

• Keep your profile active and up to date
• Renew expiring documents promptly
• Stay in the pool while your profile improves over time

See how your profile stacks up for Express Entry — it might be more competitive than you think!

Lesson 3: The Tie-Breaking Rule Can Make All the Difference

Timing matters — a lot. When multiple candidates have the same CRS score in a draw, IRCC uses a tie-breaking rule to decide who gets invited. The system prioritizes candidates who submitted their Express Entry profile earlier.

So, two candidates might both have a CRS of 400, but if one submitted their profile a month earlier, they get the ITA. That’s why it’s so important to create your profile as early as possible — and to avoid letting it expire.

How to Avoid Missing Out Due to Expiry

• Express Entry profiles are valid for one year. If yours expires, you’ll need to create a new one, which resets your submission date — and could place you at a disadvantage in a tie-breaker scenario.
• Language test results expire after two years. If your results expire and you don’t update them, your profile becomes ineligible. But the good news? Uploading newer results doesn’t require resubmitting your entire profile — just update the existing one.

To stay eligible and competitive, mark your calendar and renew everything ahead of time. Trust us, the last thing you want is to miss your shot because you forgot a date.

Lesson 4: Align Your Profile with Current Immigration Trends

Express Entry isn’t just about points — it’s also about policy priorities. Over the past few years, IRCC has introduced targeted draws based on Canada’s economic needs and labour shortages. This means your occupation, language skills, and experience can play a huge role even if your CRS isn’t sky-high.

Currently, IRCC holds category-based draws for candidates with:

• French-language proficiency
• Healthcare and social services experience
• STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) backgrounds
• Skilled trades experience
• Agriculture and agri-food work
• Education-related occupations
• Canadian work experience as a physician

To qualify for these draws, you’ll need to meet the basic Express Entry criteria and:

• Score at least NCLC 7 in French (for language-based draws), or
• Have 6+ months of continuous experience in a listed occupation within the last three years

If you’re gaining experience in one of these high-demand categories, make sure your profile reflects it. That way, when IRCC issues a draw for your occupation, they’ll know you’re eligible at a glance.

And if you’re working toward a higher French language level, be sure to add your improvements to your profile as you go. Even before reaching NCLC 7, you can start earning CRS points at NCLC 5. Every point counts!

Final Thoughts: Be Ready Before Opportunity Knocks

Canada’s Express Entry draws are unpredictable — but that doesn’t mean you have to be unprepared. The biggest takeaways from the historic 2021 draw and recent trends all point to one thing: being in the pool, early and often, gives you the best shot at permanent residency.

Whether your CRS is high or still a work in progress, staying active in the system puts you in the right place at the right time — especially as IRCC continues to innovate with category-based draws and shifting immigration goals.

Interested in boosting your chances through the Manitoba PNP? Make sure you check your eligibility and see how provincial programs can complement your Express Entry strategy.

Curious how your profile stacks up? Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Find out how competitive your Express Entry profile is and take the next step in your journey to Canada today.