The number of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points required by candidates for immigration to Canada through the Express Entry selection system to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence remained at 482 in the latest draw from the pool, which took place on July 13. A total of 747 candidates were invited to apply.

The previous draw, which took place on June 29, also required candidates to have 482 CRS points in order to receive an ITA. Before that, a draw that tool place on June 15 had a CRS threshold of 488. While the number of candidates being invited to apply in each draw over the past number of months is holding steady at around 740-800 per draw, stakeholders may note that the CRS requirement has not increased over the past few draws — indeed, it has decreased since a month ago.

Candidates who have been issued an ITA are now in a position to submit an application for Canadian permanent residence. Accompanying family members, including spouses or common-law partners, as well as dependent children, may also come to Canada along with the principal applicant.

Express Entry

Express Entry is Canada's immigration management system for the federal economic immigration programs, namely: Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, and the Canadian Experience Class. The system was first launched on January 1, 2015.

Eligible candidates may submit a profile into the Express Entry pool, where they are ranked according to the CRS. The government of Canada selects the top-ranked candidates on a priority basis when it performs one of its frequent draws from the pool. 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.

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 July 13, 2016

• Launch date: January 1, 2015
• First draw from the pool: January 31, 2015
• Most recent draw from the pool: July 13, 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 since system was launched: 47,096
• Total number of ITAs issued in 2016: 16,033
• Total number of ITAs issued in 2015: 31,063

Express Entry Draws: 2016

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