There has been a significant increase in the number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued in the latest draw from the Express Entry pool, and the number of Comprehensive Ranking System points required in order to receive an ITA has decreased for the second draw in a row. The latest draw from the pool took place the morning of September 21, 2016. A total of 1,288 ITAs were issued to candidates in the pool with 483 or more CRS points.

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.

The previous draw, which took place on September 7, saw a total of 1,000 ITAs issued to candidates with 491 or more CRS points. Before that, the previous nine draws had seen fewer than 800 ITAs issued per draw. The move towards larger draws, and a corresponding decrease in the CRS point requirement, likely reflects 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 Canadian immigration programs that receive applications through Express Entry. An IRCC representative made comments earlier this year to that effect. Other things being equal, an increase in the number of ITAs issued should have the corresponding effect of the CRS cut-off point coming down. Based on the last two draws, this prediction has become a reality.

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.

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 21, 2016

• Launch date: January 1, 2015
• First draw from the pool: January 31, 2015
• Most recent draw from the pool: September 21, 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: 20,580
• Total number of ITAs issued since system was launched: 51,643

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.