The latest Express Entry draw for immigration to Canada has broken new ground, with the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) point threshold dipping below the 450 mark for the first time. In total, 3,664 candidates in the pool with 447 or more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points have issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence on February 8, 2017.

Not only was the CRS requirement lower than ever, but the number of ITAs issued was greater than in any other draw that has taken place since the Express Entry selection system was launched more than two years ago.

Candidates who earn an ITA are now in a position to submit an application for Canadian permanent residence to Immigration, Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and Refugees. Accompanying family members, including spouses or common-law partners, as well as dependent children, may also come to Canada along with the principal applicant.

CRS REQUIREMENT

447

NUMBER OF ITAs IN LATEST DRAW

3,664

ITAs ISSUED IN 2017

13,408

The first few weeks of 2017 have seen a massive increase in activity within the Express Entry system. Through the latter half of 2016, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) representatives made some comments suggesting that 2017 would see a more robust system in which more ITAs are issued. Also, IRCC added that significant improvements made to the system last November would allow more candidates to be invited to apply based on their human capital, skills, and experience.

Among these improvements were changes made to the number of points awarded for a qualifying job offer. In most cases, candidates with a job offer receive 50 points (though 200 points are available for certain senior managerial positions) — down from 600 points before the changes were introduced.

Individuals, who wish to apply for Canadian permanent residence by the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC), or Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades Class (FTSC), are first required to enter the Express Entry pool. Upon entering the pool, they are assigned a CRS score based on factors including public status information, work experience, education, language ability, and other criteria. Candidates are ranked in the pool according to their CRS score, and IRCC periodically conducts to invite the highest-ranking candidates to submit an application.

Candidates in the pool may increase their ranking in some 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 February 8, 2017

  • Launch date: January 1, 2015
  • First draw from the pool: January 31, 2015
  • Most recent draw from the pool: February 8, 2017
  • Minimum CRS points required for selection in any one draw: 447 (February 8, 2017)
  • Largest number of invitations to apply issued in any one draw: 3,664 (February 8, 2017)
  • 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 successive draws: 0 (on three occasions)
  • The 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 in 2017: 13,408
  • Total number of ITAs issued since system was launched: 78,253

Draws from the Express Entry Pool (Updated)

2017 Express Entry Draws

Draw #

 

Minimum CRS Score Required

 

Date of Draw

 

# of ITAs Issued
54 447 February 8, 2017

 

3,664
53 453 January 25, 2017

 

3,508
52 459

 

January 11, 2017

 

3,334
51 468 January 4. 2017

 

2,902

 

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

Reply comment