The latest draw from the Express Entry pool, and the 26th since the immigration selection system was launched just over a year ago, took place on January 28, 2016. A total of 1,468 Invitations To Apply (ITAs) for Canadian permanent residence were issued to candidates with 457 or more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.

The third draw this month

Whereas each of the previous seven months have seen two Express Entry draws take place per month, January, 2016 is now the first month in almost a year during which three draws have taken place. Since the Canadian federal election took place on October 19, 2015, a total of eight Express Entry draws have taken place. Each of these draws has selected a portion of candidates who do not have a qualifying job offer in Canada or a nomination from a Canadian province.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC, formerly known as Citizenship and Immigration Canada, or CIC) recently stated that 2016 would see more regular draws from the pool, with an increase in the number of candidates issued ITAs in each draw.

“The number of invitations issued per round is expected to increase as the pre-Express Entry inventory of applications is finalised. In turn, it is expected that the minimum score of those that are invited to apply will drop,” stated an IRCC Policy Analyst during a webinar hosted by IRCC on December 16, 2015, The Policy Analyst added that "we expect that in the new year when our rounds start growing — to meet our new levels plan — that the score will reduce."

While the number of ITAs issued in the three draws that have taken place so far this year remains around the same, the regularity of draws has increased.

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. Express Entry came into operation 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 January 28, 2016

• Launch date: January 1, 2015
• First draw from the pool: January 31, 2015
• Most recent draw from the pool: January 28, 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 invitations to apply issued: 35,512

Express Entry Draws: 2016