The last time this many ITAs were issued in a single draw was January 13, 2016, which also saw 1,518 ITAs issued. In the draw, which took place on the morning of October 12, Immigration, Citizenship, and Refugees Canada (IRCC) issued ITAs to candidates with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 484 points or higher.

The results of the October 12 draw represent an 18 percent increase in the number of ITAs issued, compared to the previous draw of September 21, 2016. That draw saw a total of 1,288 ITAs issued to candidates with a score of 483 or more CRS points. Before that, on September 7, a total of 1,000 ITAs were issued to candidates with a score of 491 or more CRS points.

Consequently, the first draw of October continues the trend of increases in the number of ITAs being issued. Little change was seen in the CRS points requirement, which increased one point to 484.

Individuals who received an ITA in the October 12 draw may now submit an application for permanent residence to the federal government. After receiving an ITA, recipients have 60 days to submit an application. The government aims to process complete submitted applications within six months. Principal applicants may also include their accompanying spouse or common-law partner, and any dependent children, on their application.

Express Entry

Express Entry is not an immigration program, rather, it is the system Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses to select candidates for immigration to Canada through the federal economic immigration programs, namely: Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, and the Canadian Experience Class.

Eligible candidates may submit a profile into the Express Entry pool, where they are ranked according to the CRS. Top-ranked candidates are selected from the pool on a priority basis during frequent draws. Candidates who are issued an ITA for permanent residence then have 60 days to submit a complete e-application, from which point the government of Canada aims to process the application within six months.

There are a number of ways in which candidates in the pool may increase their CRS score — and therefore improve their ranking in the pool. To learn more about increasing CRS score and ranking, click here.

For more information on draws from the Express Entry pool that have taken place so far, click here.

Express Entry quick facts, from January 1, 2015 to October 12, 2016

• Launch date: January 1, 2015

• First draw from the pool: January 31, 2015

• Most recent draw from the pool: October 12, 2016

• 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: 1,637 (March 27, 2015)

• Fewest invitations to apply issued in any one draw: 715 (April 17, 2015)

• 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: 302 (from April 17, 2015 to May 22, 2015 draws)

• 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: 7 days (on seven occasions)

• Total number of ITAs issued in 2015: 31,063

• Total number of ITAs issued in 2016: 22,098

• Total number of ITAs issued since system was launched: 53,161

Draws From The Express Entry Pool (Updated)

Express Entry Draws: 2016

Express Entry Draws: 2015

To learn more about your Canadian immigration options through any of over 60 Canadian immigration programs, please fill out a free online assessment today.