A greater number of Invitations to Apply (ITA) have been issued than ever before in Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) latest draw from the Express Entry pool. A total of 2,427 ITAs were issued to candidates with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 470 or higher. Consequently, for the third draw in a row, the number of ITAs issued is higher than any previous draw since the Express Entry system was introduced in 2015. The minimum CRS score required has also decreased for the third draw in a row.

Individuals who received an ITA in the draw of November 16, 2016, are now in a position to submit an application for permanent resident status to the government of Canada. Candidates have 60 days from the receipt of an ITA in which to submit an application, which IRCC aims to process within six months.

Following the announcement, on November 10, 2016, of upcoming changes to the CRS, it is likely that this is the last draw from the Express Entry pool under the current CRS.

Changes to CRS as of November 19, 2016

As IRCC often conducts draws every two weeks — the shortest time between two draws was seven days, on seven occasions — it is unlikely that another draw will be conducted before the changes come into force on November 19. For a detailed report of the upcoming changes to the CRS and the allocation of points, consult the comprehensive analysis on CICNews.com.

To find out your CRS score under the revised system as of November 19, 2016, try the CanadaVisa CRS Calculator.

Express Entry

Express Entry is the system used by IRCC to select candidates for immigration to Canada through the federal economic immigration programs. Candidates who wish to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class, and Canadian Experience Class are required to do so through Express Entry.

Eligible candidates create a profile which is submitted to the Express Entry pool. Upon entering the pool, candidates are assigned a CRS score which determines their ranking in the pool. The highest-ranking candidates are issued an ITA in IRCC’s periodic draws.

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 November 16, 2016

• Launch date: January 1, 2015

• First draw from the pool: January 31, 2015

• Most recent draw from the pool: November 16, 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: 2,427 (November 16, 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 seven occasions)

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

• Total number of ITAs issued in 2016: 26,605

• Total number of ITAs issued since system was launched: 57,668

Express Entry Draws: 2016

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