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The number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued to Express Entry candidates for immigration to Canada has increased to 1,000 in the latest draw from the pool, which took place on September 7, 2016. The past nine draws have each seen between 750 and 800 ITAs issued, with only 750 candidates having been invited to apply in the previous draw, which took place exactly two weeks ago. The minimum number of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points required in order for a candidate to be issued on ITA in the September 7 draw was 491, representing a drop of 47 points since the previous draw.

Until today, the number of ITAs issued in any one draw had not reached the 1,000 mark since April, 2016. The increase on this occasion, though not as substantial as some candidates may have hoped for, may reflect a desire on the part of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to issue more invitations through the fall season in order to reach the annual intake levels set earlier this year for the federal economic immigration programs that receive applications through Express Entry. An IRCC representative made comments earlier this year to that effect, and it is quite possible that we are now seeing the beginning of an increase in the number of ITAs issued per draw. Other things being equal, this should have the corresponding effect of the CRS cut-off point coming down.

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 WorkerFederal 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. 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.

Candidates in the pool may increase their CRS score — and therefore their ranking against other candidates — in a number of ways. 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 September, 2016

  • Launch date: January 1, 2015
  • First draw from the pool: January 31, 2015
  • Most recent draw from the pool: September, 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: 19,292
  • Total number of ITAs issued since system was launched: 50,355

Draws From The Express Entry Pool (Updated)

Express Entry Draws: 2016

Draw #Minimum CRS Score RequiredDate of Draw# of ITAs Issued
24461January 6, 20161,463
25453January 13, 20161,518
26457January 28, 20161,468
27459February 10, 20161,505
28453February 24, 20161,484
29473March 8, 20161,013
30470March 23, 20161,014
31470April 6, 2016954
32468April 20, 20161,018
33534May 6, 2016799
34484May 18, 2016763
35483June 1, 2016762
36488June 15, 2016752
37482June 29, 2016773
38482July 13, 2016747
39488July 27, 2016755
40490August 10, 2016754
41538August 24, 2016750
42491September 7, 20161,000

Express Entry Draws: 2015

Draw #Minimum CRS Score RequiredDate of Draw# of ITAs Issued
1886January 31, 2015779
2818February 7, 2015779
3808February 20, 2015849
4735February 27, 20151,187
5481March 20, 20151,620
6453March 27, 20151,637
7469April 10, 2015925
8453April 17, 2015715
9755May 22, 20151,361
10482June 12, 20151,501
11469June 27, 20151,575
12463July 10, 20151,516
13451July 17, 20151,581
14471August 7, 20151,402
15456August 21, 20151,523
16459September 8, 20151,517
17450September 18, 20151,545
18450October 2, 20151,530
19489October 23, 20151,502
20484November 13, 20151,506
21472November 27, 20151,559
22461December 4, 20151,451
23460December 18, 20151,503

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