First Express Entry Draw of 2017 Issues Record-Breaking Number of Invitations to Apply

the CanadaVisa Team - 04 January, 2017

On January 4, 2017, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 2,902 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent immigration to Canada. This is the largest ever draw since the Express Entry system was launched in January, 2015.

ITAs were issued to candidates in the Express Entry pool with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 468 or above. This represents the first time the required minimum CRS score has dropped below 470 since April 20, 2016, when the minimum required CRS score was also 468. Consequently, the draws continue to follow predictions made following November’s improvements to certain Express Entry and CRS criteria, that the number of ITAs will rise and the required CRS score will decrease.

Candidates who received an ITA in the January 4 draw are now in a position to submit an application for Canadian permanent residence to IRCC.

Individuals who wish to apply for Canadian permanent residence through the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC), Federal Skilled Trades Class (FTSC), or Canadian Experience Class (CEC), are first required to enter the Express Entry pool. Upon entering the pool, they are assigned a CRS score based on factors including civil status information, education, work experience, language ability, and other criteria. Candidates are ranked in the pool according to their CRS score, and IRCC periodically conducts draws to invite the highest-ranking candidates to submit an application.

Candidates in the pool may increase their ranking in a number of ways. Learn more about increasing CRS score and ranking.

For more information on draws from the Express Entry pool that have taken place so far, consult this table.

Express Entry quick facts, from January 1, 2015 to January 4, 2017

Launch date: January 1, 2015
First draw from the pool: January 31, 2015
Most recent draw from the pool: January 4, 2017
Minimum CRS points required for selection in any one draw: 450 (September 18, 2015 & October 2, 2015)
Largest number of invitations to apply issued in any one draw: 2,902 (January 4, 2017)
Fewest invitations to apply issued in any one draw: 559 (November 30, 2016. Note: This draw invited candidates with a provincial nomination only.)
Largest decrease in CRS points required between two consecutive draws: 273 (from May 22, 2015 to June 12, 2015 draws)
Smallest decrease in CRS points required between two consecutive draws: 0 (on three occasions)
Largest increase in CRS points required between two consecutive draws: 316 (from November 16, 2016 to November 30. Note: The latter draw invited candidates with a provincial nomination only.)
Smallest increase in CRS points required between two consecutive draws: 0 (on three occasions)
Longest gap between two consecutive draws: 35 days (from April 17, 2015 to May 22, 2015 draws)
Shortest gap between two consecutive draws: 6 days (from December 16 to December 22, 2016)
Total number of ITAs issued in 2015: 31,063
Total number of ITAs issued in 2016: 33,782
Total number of ITAs issued in 2017: 2,902
Total number of ITAs issued since system was launched: 67,747

Draws From The Express Entry Pool (Updated)

Express Entry Draws: 2017

Draw #	Minimum CRS Score Required	Date of Draw	# of ITAs Issued
51	468	January 4. 2017	2,902

Express Entry Draws: 2016

Draw #	Minimum CRS Score Required	Date of Draw	# of ITAs Issued
50	475	December 22, 2016	2,878
49	497	December 16, 2016	1,936
48	786 (*candidates with a provincial nomination only)	November 30, 2016	559
47	470	November 16, 2016	2,427
46	472	November 2, 2016	2,080
45	475	October 19, 2016	1,804
44	484	October 12, 2016	1,518
43	483	September 21, 2016	1,288
42	491	September 7, 2016	1,000
41	538	August 24, 2016	750
40	490	August 10, 2016	754
39	488	July 27, 2016	755
38	482	July 13, 2016	747
37	482	June 29, 2016	773
36	488	June 15, 2016	752
35	483	June 1, 2016	762
34	484	May 18, 2016	763
33	534	May 6, 2016	799
32	468	April 20, 2016	1,018
31	470	April 6, 2016	954
30	470	March 23, 2016	1,014
29	473	March 8, 2016	1,013
28	453	February 24, 2016	1,484
27	459	February 10, 2016	1,505
26	457	January 28, 2016	1,468
25	453	January 13, 2016	1,518
24	461	January 6, 2016	1,463

Express Entry Draws: 2015

Draw #	Minimum CRS Score Required	Date of Draw	# of ITAs Issued
23	460	December 18, 2015	1,503
22	461	December 4, 2015	1,451
21	472	November 27, 2015	1,559
20	484	November 13, 2015	1,506
19	489	October 23, 2015	1,502
18	450	October 2, 2015	1,530
17	450	September 18, 2015	1,545
16	459	September 8, 2015	1,517
15	456	August 21, 2015	1,523
14	471	August 7, 2015	1,402
13	451	July 17, 2015	1,581
12	463	July 10, 2015	1,516
11	469	June 27, 2015	1,575
10	482	June 12, 2015	1,501
9	755	May 22, 2015	1,361
8	453	April 17, 2015	715
7	469	April 10, 2015	925
6	453	March 27, 2015	1,637
5	481	March 20, 2015	1,620
4	735	February 27, 2015	1,187
3	808 (*Canadian Experience Class only)	February 20, 2015	849
2	818	February 7, 2015	779
1	886	January 31, 2015	779

To find out if you are eligible for immigration to Canada, please fill out a free online assessment today.