The Express Entry draw on October 19 — the second draw in eight days — saw a record number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued to candidates in Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry pool. The previous record for the number of ITAs issued in a single draw was 1,637, on March 27, 2015. Moreover, this is only the second time in 2016 that two draws have happened within the space of a week.

Candidates who have a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 475 or more as of October 19 received an ITA. This represents a significant decrease in the points requirement, as it is the lowest minimum CRS score for any draw in the last six months.

IRCC conducts periodic draws for candidates in the Express Entry Pool, during which ITAs are issued to the highest-ranking candidates in the pool. After receiving an ITA, a candidate has 60 days to submit an application for permanent residence to the federal government. 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.

Invitations Rising, Points Decreasing

The government of Canada has frequently voiced its intention to increase immigration levels and ease the pathway to permanent residence. The draws of September and October seem to have made these intentions manifest, as the last four draws have all seen an increase in the number of ITAs issued. So far in 2016, 23,092 ITAs have been issued to candidates in the Express Entry pool.  

Express Entry quick facts, from January 1, 2015 to October 19, 2016

• Launch date: January 1, 2015
• First draw from the pool: January 31, 2015
• Most recent draw from the pool: October 19, 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: 1,804 (October 19, 2016)
• 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 eight occasions)
• Total number of ITAs issued since system was launched: 54,965
• Total number of ITAs issued in 2016: 23,092
• Total number of ITAs issued in 2015: 31,063

Draws From The Express Entry Pool (Updated)

Express Entry Draws: 2016

Express Entry Draws: 2015

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