first-express-entry-draw-2017

On January 4, 2017, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 2,902 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent immigration to Canada. This is the largest ever draw since the Express Entry system was launched in January, 2015.

ITAs were issued to candidates in the Express Entry pool with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 468 or above. This represents the first time the required minimum CRS score has dropped below 470 since April 20, 2016, when the minimum required CRS score was also 468. Consequently, the draws continue to follow predictions made following November’s improvements to certain Express Entry and CRS criteria, that the number of ITAs will rise and the required CRS score will decrease.

Candidates who received an ITA in the January 4 draw are now in a position to submit an application for Canadian permanent residence to IRCC.

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

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.

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On January 4, 2017, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 2,902 Invitations to Apply (ITAs)

Express Entry quick facts, from January 1, 2015 to January 4, 2017

  • Launch date: January 1, 2015
  • First draw from the pool: January 31, 2015
  • Most recent draw from the pool: January 4, 2017
  • 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: 2,902 (January 4, 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 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 in 2017: 2,902
  • Total number of ITAs issued since system was launched: 67,747

 

Draws From The Express Entry Pool (Updated)

Express Entry Draws: 2017

Draw # Minimum CRS Score Required Date of Draw # of ITAs Issued
51 468 January 4. 2017 2,902

Express Entry Draws: 2016

Draw # Minimum CRS Score Required Date of Draw # of ITAs Issued
50 475 December 22, 2016 2,878
49 497 December 16, 2016 1,936
48 786 (*candidates with a provincial nomination only) November 30, 2016 559
47 470 November 16, 2016 2,427
46 472 November 2, 2016 2,080
45 475 October 19, 2016 1,804
44 484 October 12, 2016 1,518
43 483 September 21, 2016 1,288
42 491 September 7, 2016 1,000
41 538 August 24, 2016 750
40 490 August 10, 2016 754
39 488 July 27, 2016 755
38 482 July 13, 2016 747
37 482 June 29, 2016 773
36 488 June 15, 2016 752
35 483 June 1, 2016 762
34 484 May 18, 2016 763
33 534 May 6, 2016 799
32 468 April 20, 2016 1,018
31 470 April 6, 2016 954
30 470 March 23, 2016 1,014
29 473 March 8, 2016 1,013
28 453 February 24, 2016 1,484
27 459 February 10, 2016 1,505
26 457 January 28, 2016 1,468
25 453 January 13, 2016 1,518
24 461 January 6, 2016 1,463

Express Entry Draws: 2015

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

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

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