Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian permanent residence to 750 candidates in the Express Entry pool. The latest draw from the pool, and the 41st in total since the selection system was launched in January, 2015, took place on Wednesday, August 24, 2016. Candidates with 538 or more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points were issued an ITA.

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.

This draw marks an increase in the CRS point requirement in order for candidates to receive an ITA, compared with the previous draw, in which candidates with 490 or more CRS points received an ITA. However, the CRS cut-off point has fluctuated in the past; it went up to 534 in May of this year, but came down again thereafter.

Canada's Minister of Immigration, John McCallum, has mused publicly that the Express Entry system — which was introduced by the previous Conservative government — is in line for modifications that are expected to benefit many candidates already in the pool. In addition, McCallum has recently stated that he wishes to increase the overall number of immigrants to Canada over the coming years. These proposals are expected to be outlined in detail in the near future.

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 August 24, 2016

• Launch date: January 1, 2015
• First draw from the pool: January 31, 2015
• Most recent draw from the pool: August 24, 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: 18,292
• Total number of ITAs issued since system was launched: 49,355

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.