When an individual is part of the Express Entry pool, they can be selected through a priority system based on the total score they have via the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This means that the higher a person's score, the more likely they are to be selected. However, an individual with a score close to the Express Entry pool's average also has a chance of being selected.
In the two most recent Express Entry draws of March 2023, specifically on March 23, 2023, and March 29, 2023, 7,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued per draw, totaling 14,000. During the draw on March 23, 2023, the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score that received an ITA was 484, while the minimum CRS score for the draw on March 29, 2023, was 481.
The minimum CRS score for a draw always varies depending on each Express Entry draw. However, it's noticeable that draws often occur on Wednesdays every two weeks, indicating a regular frequency of draws for Express Entry.
As mentioned earlier, the minimum CRS score selected always varies depending on the state of the Express Entry pool. Therefore, it is possible to see draws with scores below 400 receiving an ITA. The average score of Express Entry draws in 2022 was about 646, and the current average score of Express Entry draws in 2023 is about 579. It's also important to mention that the number of ITAs varies with each draw, with an average of approximately 1981 invitations in 2022 and a current average of about 4173 invitations in 2023. This indicates a federal government's intention to issue more invitations, gradually decreasing the minimum score required to receive an invitation.
Interestingly, the 176th Express Entry draw, which occurred on February 13, 2021, holds the record for the highest number of ITAs issued, with 27,332 and the lowest minimum CRS score, a score of 75. This demonstrates that certain global events can radically affect the Express Entry draws.
This brief overview provides insight into the Express Entry draws, and for more information, we invite you to read our other articles.