December 22 Express Entry Draw is the Largest of All Time

the CanadaVisa Team - 22 December, 2016

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 2,878 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian permanent residence to candidates with 475 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points in an Express Entry draw that took place on December 22, 2016. This draw — the largest ever since Express Entry came into operation nearly two years ago — came as a surprise to many candidates, coming just six days after the previous draw. Over recent months, IRCC had stated that more regular draws could be expected, that the number of ITAs would increase, and that there would be a corresponding decrease in the CRS cut-off point. On all three fronts, IRCC has been as good as its word.

Further in-depth analysis of the December 22 Express Entry draw is available on CICNews.com.

Express Entry is the system used by IRCC to select candidates for immigration to Canada through the federal economic immigration programs. Candidates who wish to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class, and Canadian Experience Class are required to do so through Express Entry.

Eligible candidates create a profile which is submitted to the Express Entry pool. Upon entering the pool, candidates are assigned a CRS score which determines their ranking in the pool. The highest-ranking candidates are issued an ITA in IRCC’s periodic draws. Last month, IRCC brought in a range of improvements to the Express Entry system, designed to ensure that more candidates are invited to apply based on their human capital, skills, and experience.

Candidates in the pool may increase their ranking in a number of ways. Learn more about increasing CRS score and ranking.

For more information on draws from the Express Entry pool that have taken place so far, consult this table.

Express Entry quick facts, from January 1, 2015 to December 22, 2016

• Launch date: January 1, 2015
• First draw from the pool: January 31, 2015
• Most recent draw from the pool: December 22, 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: 2,878 (December 22, 2016)
• Fewest invitations to apply issued in any one draw: 559 (November 30, 2016. 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)
• Largest increase in CRS points required between two consecutive draws: 316 (from November 16, 2016 to November 30. Note: The latter draw invited candidates with a provincial nomination only.)
• 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: 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 since system was launched: 64,845

Draws From The Express Entry Pool (Updated)

Express Entry Draws: 2016

Express Entry Draws: 2015

To find out if you are eligible for immigration to Canada, please fill out a free online assessment today.