The Government of Canada issued 3,900 invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residence in a new Express Entry invitation round held December 12. The minimum score in this draw was 445.

This was the sixth draw in a row to issue 3,900 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) and leaves Canada just 124 invitations shy of a new record for the most ITAs issued in a single year.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) applied the 'tie-break' rule for Express Entry candidates with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 445. This means that ITAs will be issued to all candidates with scores above 445 as well as candidates with scores of 445 who submitted their Express Entry profiles prior to November 28, 2018, at 09:51:43 UTC.

In order to be considered for immigration through Canada's Express Entry system, foreign nationals must first meet the eligibility criteria for one of three economic immigration programs — the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC), Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Eligible candidates are entered into the Express Entry pool and are assigned a CRS score out of 1,200 based on factors such as education, work experience and English or French language proficiency.

IRCC invites the highest-ranking candidates through regular draws from the pool.

Candidates issued an ITA have 60 days from the date of receipt to submit a complete Canadian permanent residence application to the Government of Canada.

For details on previous Express Entry draws, consult this table.

For more details on the December 12 draw, please read the latest article on CICNews.com.

Find out if you are eligible to enter the Express Entry pool by completing a free assessment form.

Express Entry quick facts, from January 1, 2015 to December 12, 2018

• Launch date: January 1, 2015
• First draw from the pool: March 14, 2015
• Most recent draw from the pool: December 12, 2018
• Minimum CRS points required for selection in the Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC): 199 (May 26, 2017)
• Minimum CRS points required for selection in the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC): 413 (May 31, 2017)
• Minimum CRS points required for selection in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 413 (May 31, 2017)
• Largest number of invitations to apply issued in any one draw: 3,923 (April 12, 2017)
• Fewest invitations to apply issued in any one draw: 143 (May 26, 2017. Note: This draw invited candidates with a provincial nomination only.)
• 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)
• Longest gap between dates of two consecutive draws: 35 days (from April 17, 2015 to May 22, 2015 draws)
• Shortest gap between dates of two consecutive draws: 5 days (from May 26 to May 31, 2017)
• Total number of ITAs issued in 2015: 31,063
• Total number of ITAs issued in 2016: 33,782
• Total number of ITAs issued in 2017: 86,023
• Total number of ITAs issued in 2018: 85,900
• Total number of ITAs issued since the system was launched: 236,768

Draws From The Express Entry Pool (Updated)

Express Entry Draws: 2018

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Find out if you are eligible to enter the Express Entry pool with our free assessment form.