The latest draw from Canada's Express Entry pool has seen 543 candidates invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence. In a move that has not yet been seen in the history of the Express Entry system, two groups of candidates were singled out to receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs). In addition, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) established two different minimum scores under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). A total of 400 candidates in the Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC) with a minimum CRS score of 199, and 143 candidates with a provincial nomination and a minimum CRS score of 775, were issued ITAs, and are now in a position to submit an application for Canadian permanent residence.

Category-specific draws are not unknown within the Express Entry system. Since the introduction of Express Entry, in January, 2015, the Canadian government has conducted two draws that exclusively invited specific candidates — those in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) on February 20, 2015, and those with a provincial nomination certificate on November 30, 2016. However, this is the first time that candidates in the FSTC have been specifically singled out, and the first time that two separate minimum CRS score requirements were in place.

In order to be in a position to receive an ITA in an Express Entry draw, individuals are first required to meet the eligibility criteria of one of the three immigration programs managed through the Express Entry system — the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC), Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC), or Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Upon entering the pool, candidates are assigned a CRS score based on factors including civil status information, education, work experience, language ability, and other criteria. This score determines their ranking in the pool. During periodic draws, IRCC issues ITAs to the highest-ranking candidates. Those candidates who receive an ITA  may submit an application for Canadian permanent resident status.

Learn more about increasing CRS score and ranking.

Express Entry quick facts, from January 1, 2015 to May 26, 2017

• Launch date: January 1, 2015
• First draw from the pool: January 31, 2015
• Most recent draw from the pool: May 26, 2017
• Minimum CRS points required for selection in any one draw: 199 (May 26, 2017. Note: This score was applicable to FSTC candidates only.)
• 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: 6 days (from December 16 to December 22, 2016)
• 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: 43,999
• Total number of ITAs issued since system was launched: 108,844

Draws From The Express Entry Pool (Updated)

Express Entry Draws: 2017

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{slide=Express Entry Draws: 2015 (click to open)}

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To learn more about your Canadian immigration options through the programs managed under Express Entry, as well as through other currently available programs, please fill out a free online assessment today.