Written by the on

The latest draw from the Express Entry pool has seen a total of 1,484 candidates being issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian permanent residence. The 28th draw took place on February 24, 2016, and each candidate who received an ITA had 453 or more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This latest draw is good news to prospective applicants, as it marks the second time this year that the CRS point requirement has been as low as 453.

While the CRS point requirement for this draw has seen a marginal decrease, relative to the previous (27th) draw, candidates should be mindful that it is expected that the minimum score of those that are invited to apply will drop even further as the year progresses and additional draws occur. Each draw for the past nine months has selected a portion of candidates who do not have a qualifying job offer in Canada or a nomination from a Canadian province.

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. 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 February 24, 2016

  • Launch date: January 1, 2015
  • First draw from the pool: January 31, 2015
  • Most recent draw from the pool: February 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 (from September 18, 2015 to October 2, 2015 draws)
  • 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 (from September 18, 2015 to October 2, 2015 draws)
  • 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: 38,501
  • Total number of ITAs issued in 2016: 7,438
  • Total number of ITAs issued in 2015: 31,063

Express Entry Draws: 2016

 Date when Invitations To Apply Were IssuedNumber of Invitations IssuedMinimum CRS Points RequiredProgram Specified
24th Express Entry DrawJanuary 6, 20161,463461All Programs
25th Express Entry DrawJanuary 13, 20161,518453All Programs
26th Express Entry DrawJanuary 28, 20161,468457All Programs
27th Express Entry DrawFebruary 10, 20161,505459All Programs
28th Express Entry DrawFebruary 24, 20161,484453All Programs

Express Entry Draws: 2015

 Date when Invitations To Apply Were IssuedNumber of Invitations IssuedMinimum CRS Points RequiredProgram Specified
1st Express Entry DrawJanuary 31, 2015779886All Programs
2nd Express Entry DrawFebruary 7, 2015779818All Programs
3rd Express Entry DrawFebruary 20, 2015849808Canadian Experience Class
4th Express Entry DrawFebruary 27, 20151,187735All Programs
5th Express Entry DrawMarch 20, 20151,620481All Programs
6th Express Entry DrawMarch 27, 20151,637453All Programs
7th Express Entry DrawApril 10, 2015925469All Programs
8th Express Entry DrawApril 17, 2015715453All Programs
9th Express Entry DrawMay 22, 20151,361755All Programs
10th Express Entry DrawJune 12, 20151,501482All Programs
11th Express Entry DrawJune 27, 20151,575469All Programs
12th Express Entry DrawJuly 10, 20151,516463All Programs
13th Express Entry DrawJuly 17, 20151,581451All Programs
14th Express Entry DrawAugust 7, 20151,402471All Programs
15th Express Entry DrawAugust 21, 20151,523456All Programs
16th Express Entry DrawSeptember 8, 20151,517459All Programs
17th Express Entry DrawSeptember 18, 20151,545450All Programs
18th Express Entry DrawOctober 2, 20151,530450All Programs
19th Express Entry DrawOctober 23, 20151,502489All Programs
20th Express Entry DrawNovember 13, 20151,506484All Programs
21st Express Entry DrawNovember 27, 20151,559472All Programs
22nd Express Entry DrawDecember 4, 20151,451461All Programs
23rd Express Entry DrawDecember 18, 20151,503460All Programs