Candidates for immigration to Canada through the Express Entry selection system with a total of 482 or more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points were invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence in the latest draw from the Express Entry pool, which tool place on June 29. A total of 773 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued.

The previous draw, which took place on June 15, required candidates to have 488 points in order to be invited to apply. The CRS point requirement for this draw is therefore slightly lower than the previous draw, and there has been a slight increase in number of ITAs issued (the previous draw saw 752 ITAs issued).

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 Worker, Federal 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 June 29, 2016

• Launch date: January 1, 2015
• First draw from the pool: January 31, 2015
• Most recent draw from the pool: June 29, 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 two 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 two 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 since system was launched: 46,349
• Total number of ITAs issued in 2016: 15,286
• Total number of ITAs issued in 2015: 31,063

Express Entry Draws: 2016

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