Number of Invitations to Apply for Express Entry Immigration to Canada Increases Again, With Corresponding Decrease in Points Required

the CanadaVisa Team - 21 September, 2016

There has been a significant increase in the number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued in the latest draw from the Express Entry pool, and the number of Comprehensive Ranking System points required in order to receive an ITA has decreased for the second draw in a row. The latest draw from the pool took place the morning of September 21, 2016. A total of 1,288 ITAs were issued to candidates in the pool with 483 or more CRS points.

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.

The previous draw, which took place on September 7, saw a total of 1,000 ITAs issued to candidates with 491 or more CRS points. Before that, the previous nine draws had seen fewer than 800 ITAs issued per draw. The move towards larger draws, and a corresponding decrease in the CRS point requirement, likely reflects a desire on the part of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to issue more invitations through the fall season in order to reach the annual intake levels set earlier this year for the federal economic Canadian immigration programs that receive applications through Express Entry. An IRCC representative made comments earlier this year to that effect. Other things being equal, an increase in the number of ITAs issued should have the corresponding effect of the CRS cut-off point coming down. Based on the last two draws, this prediction has become a reality.

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.

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.

Candidates in the pool may increase their CRS score — and therefore their ranking against other candidates — in a number of ways. To learn more about increasing CRS score and ranking, click here.

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 September 21, 2016

Launch date: January 1, 2015
First draw from the pool: January 31, 2015
Most recent draw from the pool: September 21, 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 three 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 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: 7 days (on seven occasions)
Total number of ITAs issued in 2015: 31,063
Total number of ITAs issued in 2016: 20,580
Total number of ITAs issued since system was launched: 51,643

Draws From The Express Entry Pool (Updated)

Express Entry Draws: 2016

Draw #	Minimum CRS Score Required	Date of Draw	# of ITAs Issued
24	461	January 6, 2016	1,463
25	453	January 13, 2016	1,518
26	457	January 28, 2016	1,468
27	459	February 10, 2016	1,505
28	453	February 24, 2016	1,484
29	473	March 8, 2016	1,013
30	470	March 23, 2016	1,014
31	470	April 6, 2016	954
32	468	April 20, 2016	1,018
33	534	May 6, 2016	799
34	484	May 18, 2016	763
35	483	June 1, 2016	762
36	488	June 15, 2016	752
37	482	June 29, 2016	773
38	482	July 13, 2016	747
39	488	July 27, 2016	755
40	490	August 10, 2016	754
41	538	August 24, 2016	750
42	491	September 7, 2016	1,000
43	483	September 21, 2016	1,288

Express Entry Draws: 2015

Draw #	Minimum CRS Score Required	Date of Draw	# of ITAs Issued
1	886	January 31, 2015	779
2	818	February 7, 2015	779
3	808	February 20, 2015	849
4	735	February 27, 2015	1,187
5	481	March 20, 2015	1,620
6	453	March 27, 2015	1,637
7	469	April 10, 2015	925
8	453	April 17, 2015	715
9	755	May 22, 2015	1,361
10	482	June 12, 2015	1,501
11	469	June 27, 2015	1,575
12	463	July 10, 2015	1,516
13	451	July 17, 2015	1,581
14	471	August 7, 2015	1,402
15	456	August 21, 2015	1,523
16	459	September 8, 2015	1,517
17	450	September 18, 2015	1,545
18	450	October 2, 2015	1,530
19	489	October 23, 2015	1,502
20	484	November 13, 2015	1,506
21	472	November 27, 2015	1,559
22	461	December 4, 2015	1,451
23	460	December 18, 2015	1,503

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