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A total of 2,750 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 446 were invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence in the Dec. 20 Express Entry draw.

This is the fourth draw to operate under the new 'tie-break' procedure whereby in the event that multiple candidates have the required cut-off score, in this case 446, profiles are ranked according to the date and time of submission of the profiles. Profiles that have been in the pool longer were prioritized for invitations over newer profiles. The cut-off for this draw was Oct. 2, 2017 at 14:56:53 UTC.

The most recent federal Express Entry draw was not limited to any specific program; candidates in all programs managed through the Express Entry system were in a position to receive an ITA. For individuals to qualify they need to first meet the eligibility criteria for one of the three immigration programs managed through the Express Entry system — the Federal Skilled Worker (FSWC), Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Candidates in the Express Entry pool are assigned a CRS score based on the following: civil status information, education, work experience, language ability, and other criteria. The CRS score determines candidates' ranking in the pool. With an Invitation to Apply (ITA), candidates are able to submit an application to the government for Canadian permanent resident status.

There are many ways candidates can increase their CRS score and ranking, visit our dedicated page to 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. For an in-depth analysis of the Dec. 20 draw, please refer to this article on CICNews.com.

  • To discover your chances of success within the Express Entry pool, find out if you are eligible for Canadian immigation with our free online assessment.

CRS Requirement

 446

Number of ITAs in latest draw

 2,750

ITAs issued in 2017

86,023

Express Entry quick facts, from January 1, 2015 to December 20, 2017

  • Launch date: January 1, 2015
  • First draw from the pool: January 31, 2015
  • Most recent draw from the pool: December 20, 2017
  • Minimum CRS points required for selection in the Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC): 199 (May 26, 2017)
  • Minimum CRS points required for selection in the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC): 413 (May 31, 2017)
  • Minimum CRS points required for selection in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 413 (May 31, 2017)
  • 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: 5 days (from May 26 to May 31, 2017)
  • 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: 86,023
  • Total number of ITAs issued since system was launched: 150,868

Draws From The Express Entry Pool (Updated)

Express Entry Draws: 2017

Draw #Minimum CRS Score RequiredDate of Draw# of ITAs Issued
80446December 20, 20172,750
79452December 6, 20172,750
78439November 15, 20172,750
77458November 8, 20172,000
76241 (*Federal Skilled Trades candidates only)November 1, 2017505
75673 (*Provincial nominee programs only)November 1, 2017290
74436October 18, 20172,757
73438October 04, 20172,801
72433September 20, 20172,871
71435September 6, 20172,772
70434August 23, 20173,035
69433August 9, 20172,991
68441August 2, 20173,264
67440July 12, 20173,202
66449June 28, 20173,409
65413May 31, 20173,877
64199 (*Federal Skilled Trades candidates only)May 26, 2017400
63775 (*Provincial nominee programs only)May 26, 2017143
62415May 17, 20173,687
61423May 4, 20173,796
60415April 19, 20173,665
59423April 12, 20173,923
58431April 5, 20173,753
57441March 24, 20173,749
56434March 1, 20173,884
55441February 22, 20173,611
54447February 8, 20173,644
53453January 25, 20173,508
52459January 11, 20173,334
51468January 4. 20172,902

{slide=Express Entry Draws: 2016 (click to open)}

Draw #Minimum CRS Score RequiredDate of Draw# of ITAs Issued
50475December 22, 20162,878
49497December 16, 20161,936
48786 (*Provincial Nominee Programs only)November 30, 2016559
47470November 16, 20162,427
46472November 2, 20162,080
45475October 19, 20161,804
44484October 12, 20161,518
43483September 21, 20161,288
42491September 7, 20161,000
41538August 24, 2016750
40490August 10, 2016754
39488July 27, 2016755
38482July 13, 2016747
37482June 29, 2016773
36488June 15, 2016752
35483June 1, 2016762
34484May 18, 2016763
33534May 6, 2016799
32468April 20, 20161,018
31470April 6, 2016954
30470March 23, 20161,014
29473March 8, 20161,013
28453February 24, 20161,484
27459February 10, 20161,505
26457January 28, 20161,468
25453January 13, 20161,518
24461January 6, 20161,463

{/slide}

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

Draw #Minimum CRS Score RequiredDate of Draw# of ITAs Issued
23460December 18, 20151,503
22461December 4, 20151,451
21472November 27, 20151,559
20484November 13, 20151,506
19489October 23, 20151,502
18450October 2, 20151,530
17450September 18, 20151,545
16459September 8, 20151,517
15456August 21, 20151,523
14471August 7, 20151,402
13451July 17, 20151,581
12463July 10, 20151,516
11469June 27, 20151,575
10482June 12, 20151,501
9755May 22, 20151,361
8453April 17, 2015715
7469April 10, 2015925
6453March 27, 20151,637
5481March 20, 20151,620
4735February 27, 20151,187
3808 (*Canadian Experience Class only)February 20, 2015849
2818February 7, 2015779
1886January 31, 2015779

{/slide}

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.