Express Entry Draw – Latest Figures

Express Entry draw figures for the July 22 draw are below. 

In the July 22 Express Entry draw for immigration to Canada, 4,500 candidates will be issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA). The July 21 Express Entry draw was restricted to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score cut-off threshold for this draw was 357 points. The tie-breaking rule for this draw was applied to profiles at 357 points submitted after February 14, 2021 at 09:04:15 UTC.

All Express Entry draws that have occurred throughout 2021 have been restricted to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class or those with provincial nominations. Read our analysis below for our insights into the possibility of Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) draws taking place in the future.

As Canada announces a plan to re-open the border, FSW candidates wait to be included 

Throughout 2021, all Express Entry draws have been restricted to candidates with provincial nominations or Canadian work experience. This has left many Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) candidates wondering: when will it be their turn? While there is no confirmed date, there are more reasons for FSW candidates to be optimistic about the future.

Earlier this week, the Canadian government announced a plan to re-open the border to fully vaccinated non-essential travellers by September 7. Last month, the country announced that applicants who have been approved for permanent resident status are now eligible to travel to Canada and activate their status. As well, on July 5, Canada eliminated quarantine measures for eligible fully vaccinated travellers. 

While there is no guarantee, it is possible that as Canada further relaxes COVID-19 travel restrictions that the country may once again consider Express Entry candidates who are outside the country. Our team will continue to monitor and will update this article when we have new information. 

Remember, Canada does still have certain COVID-19 travel restrictions and special measures in place. Stay up to date on the latest with our COVID-19 Travel Updates.

You can also keep up with Canada’s travel restrictions and special pandemic immigration measures with our COVID-19 Newsfeed.

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CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of July 19, 2021

The following table shows the distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool several days before the latest Express Entry draw. As of July 19, there were a total of 167,244 candidates in the Express Entry pool. The score distribution may change as people submit new profiles and other profiles expire.

Want to improve your Express Entry CRS score? See our updated guide for tips you might not have thought of yet.

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How are COVID-19 and the Canadian border closure impacting Express Entry?

COVID-19 is a global pandemic and the Government of Canada has enacted exceptional measures to mitigate the spread of coronavirus in Canada. To be kept up to date on the latest news about COVID-19 and how it is impacting Canadian immigration, please follow our regularly updated COVID-19 newsfeed.

Here are some of the questions we’ve received about how COVID-19 will impact Express Entry:

Is Canada still issuing Express Entry invitations despite COVID-19?

Canada is still issuing Express Entry invitations. However, since January 2021, invitations have only been issued to candidates with provincial nominations or in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Is Canada still processing Express Entry applications during COVID-19?

Yes. Canada is still processing immigration applications for Express Entry, but processing delays should be expected.

I have an ITA, but I can’t get the documents I need because everything is shut down due to COVID-19. What do I do?

If you cannot gather required documents due to COVID-19, you may be able to request an extension on the document requirements. Your request will be approved or denied at the discretion of the immigration officer handling your file.

In the early days of the pandemic, the Canadian government brought in a new policy where immigration applicants who were unable to supply certain types of information or documents were automatically granted 90-day extensions to provide these documents. Many applicants were issued multiple automatic extensions as the pandemic continued. This policy ended on April 12, 2021.

As of April 12, 2021, when an immigration officer issues a request letter for additional information or documents, the applicant will be given only 30 days to respond. Applicants must respond within the 30-day timeframe either by submitting the missing information/documents or by submitting a request for an additional extension with a “reasonable explanation and proof of the explanation that would allow the application to remain open.” Full details here.

Essentially, extensions for missing documents and/or information will no longer be granted automatically, and it is now the responsibility of the applicant to prove a further extension is necessary.

I have been approved through Express Entry and I have my COPR, but I am outside Canada. Can I travel to Canada to activate my status?

Yes. As of June 21, 2021, those with valid COPRs are eligible to enter Canada. COPR-holders will have to follow all COVID-19 special travel measures (refer above for the up-to-date measures). Those with expired COPRs will be contacted by IRCC to have their documents reissued. Full details here.

How will COVID-19 impact the CRS score cut-off?

We do not know the answer to this question. In the midst of the public health crisis, our goal is to provide our community with objective and factual information. We are refraining from speculating about possible impacts of the coronavirus on the CRS score cut-off. There are simply too many variables at play.

The Express Entry Year-End Report

The most recent Express Entry Year-End Report was published in June 2020, covering activity from 2019. We read the entire report (so you don't have to!) and wrote a series of short articles on the highlights.

Check out the following summaries to learn more about the topics you care about most:

• Invitations by occupation
• Invitations by program
• Invitations by country of citizenship
• Invitations by country of residence
• Which provinces are Express Entry newcomers moving to?
• Updated processing times for Express Entry applications

About the Express Entry CRS

The Comprehensive Ranking System is a score out of 1,200 used to benchmark federal economic applicants against one another. It’s a part of the Express Entry mechanism, which was established in January 2015 to process permanent residence applications.

The score is used as a cut-off point in Express Entry draws. It is designed to project a candidate’s likelihood of being economically successful in Canada.

To enter the pool, candidates must be eligible under either the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades Class. Candidates who obtain a provincial nomination through one of the Express Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams receive 600 additional CRS points and an ITA at a subsequent draw from the pool.

A single candidate can earn up to 260 points for high proficiency in English and French, while a couple can earn up to 270 points. Moving2Canada readers can now avail of a seven-day free trial of online language tutorials to prepare for their approved language test. Simply select to Learn English or Learn French and complete the online form.

If you are in the Express Entry pool but are yet to receive an invitation to apply, please visit our page on tips to improve your CRS score.

Are there any alternatives to Express Entry?

Yes! In fact, we have a great new resource showcasing your potential Canadian immigration options outside the Express Entry system. To learn about your options, see this page.

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When will the next Express Entry draw take place?

There is no public schedule of future Express Entry draws, and so it is not possible to know for certain exactly when the next Express Entry draw will take place. However, IRCC has historically tended to conduct Express Entry draws about every two weeks, and often these draws take place on Wednesdays. However, Express Entry draws can, and do, take place on other days of the week, and sometimes there is a longer or shorter gap between one Express Entry draw and the subsequent, or previous, draw.

The quickest way to find out when an Express Entry draw has taken place is to register a Moving2Canada profile and sign up for our newsletter updates.

Those interested in finding work in construction or engineering can seek help through our recruitment agency, Outpost Recruitment. Since 2012, we’ve helped great candidates get work across civil, infrastructure, and buildings projects in Canada.

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Health insurance

Permanent Residency applicants can consider more comprehensive health insurance policies, above typical travel insurance plans.

Expatriate health insurance ensures access to the best possible healthcare while living and working abroad. Cigna Global is a leader in these policies and provides 12-month cover for those moving to Canada, regardless of nationality or age.

Click here to get a free online quote in under 60 seconds.

And if you're interested in saving money when moving abroad, you can find out how in our international money transfers guide.

Express Entry CRS cut-off all-time records

• Lowest CRS points cutoff in any Express Entry draw: 413 (all programs), 199 (FSTC), 75 (CEC)
• Highest CRS points cutoff in any Express Entry draw: 886 (all programs), 902 (PNP)

Express Entry draw list: 2021

Express Entry draw list: 2020

• Lowest CRS points cutoff in a 2019 Express Entry draw: 468 (all programs, including FSW); 431 (CEC-specific); 415 (FST-specific)
• Highest CRS points cutoff in a 2020 Express Entry draw: 478 (all programs, including FSW); 808 (PNP-specific)

Express Entry draw list: 2019

• Lowest CRS points cutoff in a 2019 Express Entry draw: 438
• Highest CRS points cutoff in a 2019 Express Entry draw: 475

Express Entry draw list: 2018

• Lowest CRS points cutoff in a 2018 Express Entry draw: 439 (all programs), 288 (FSTC)
• Highest CRS points cutoff in a 2018 Express Entry draw: 456 (all programs), 902 (PNP)

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Express Entry draw list: 2017

• Lowest CRS points cutoff in a 2017 Express Entry draw: 413 (all programs), 199 (FSTC)
• Highest CRS points cutoff in a 2017 Express Entry draw: 468 (all programs), 775 (PNP)

Express Entry draw list: 2016

• Lowest CRS points cutoff in a 2016 Express Entry draw: 453
• Highest CRS points cutoff in a 2016 Express Entry draw: 786

Express Entry draw list: 2015

• Lowest CRS points cutoff in a 2015 Express Entry draw: 450
• Highest CRS points cutoff in a 2015 Express Entry draw: 886

Get help with your application

Do you need assistance in preparing an application for Canadian permanent residence? If so, view Moving2Canada's Book an Immigration Consultant page to see our list of recommended, accredited representatives who can assist you in your goals.

*Our email newsletter on July 8 stated that the draw on this date included a record-low score. Moving2Canada regrets the error.