Updated on December 10, 2025 by canadian immigration experts
Express Entry 2017
Express Entry is arguably the most popular and easy tool to come to Canada if you have the proper background, training, and skills. If you are already in the Express Entry pool or just intend to enter one, this article might help you.
On May 31, IRCC has released an important Express Entry year-end report detailing 2017 Express Entry performance. We have summarized the key points of the report for you to help you better understand Express Entry and your chances.
We will remind that Express Entry is not a program. Express Entry is a system to manage applications from three independent programs:
Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program and Canadian Experience Class. The first one has the largest share among the three.
Invitations to Apply Express Entry 2017
In 2017, Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued to 41,364 candidates in the Federal Skilled Worker Program. This is huge if compared to the modest figure in 2016 – 8,332 ITAs.
The number of ITAs in the Canadian Experience Class in 2017 rose to 35,020 from 15,102 in 2016. More than twice.
When the Express Entry system was first implemented, the immigration officials were required to finalize all applications within six months. This was considered a revolution, as before that it took years to have an application approved.
In 2017, IRCC has performed greatly with 80% of Federal Skilled Worker applications finalized in 4 months or less!
2017 also saw the lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score in the history of Express Entry – 413 – on May 31, 2017.
In their statement, IRCC has acknowledged that Express Entry has become the main source of permanent residence applications in the economic immigration category.
The results of 2017 Express Entry year have been the highest so far: 86,022 invitations were received, 93,596 visas were issued to candidates and 65,401 permanent residents with accompanying family members were admitted into Canada.
2017 Express Entry results have been impressive. Yet, according to Canada’s Multi-Year Immigration Plan 2018 to 2020, a much higher number of admissions is expected in the next few years under the Express Entry system.
Comprehensive Ranking System
According to the released report, 90 percent of Express Entry candidates who received an ITA in 2017 didn’t have a job offer. In 2016, this figure was much less – only 62% of applicants didn’t have a job offer.
In 2016, job offer got you 600 points. In 2017, the points awarded for a job offer were reduced to 50 or 200 depending on the position. This allowed sending more ITAs to candidates with higher human capital factors including age, English or French proficiency, education, and work experience.
Together, these human capital factors can give you 600 points maximum. The following factors can also get you bonus CRS points:
- nomination by province (600 points);
- pre-arranged employment (200 points);
- Canadian education (30 points maximum)
- French proficiency (30 points maximum)
- sibling in Canada (15 points).
Only 50% of all candidates in 2017 claimed additional bonus points. Of all people who claimed bonus points, 22% claimed points for the provincial nomination.
In total, Canada received twice as many immigrants through Express Entry in 2017 than it did in 2016 (65,401 as compared to 33,411).
Occupations
Top ten occupations under Express Entry in 2017 accounted for 31% of all occupations under Express Entry.
| NOC | Occupation | No. of candidates invited | % |
| 2171 | Information Systems Analysts and Consultants | 5,214 | 6% |
| 2173 | Software Engineers | 4,782 | 6% |
| 2174 | Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers | 3,479 | 4% |
| 1111 | Financial Auditors and Accountants | 2,386 | 3% |
| 1241 | Administrative Assistants | 1,969 | 2% |
| 1123 | Professional Occupations in Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations | 1,884 | 2% |
| 4011 | University Professionals and Lecturers | 1,830 | 2% |
| 1112 | Financial and Investment Analysts | 1,783 | 2% |
| 1122 | Professional Occupations in Business Management Consulting | 1,621 | 2% |
| 0124 | Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations Managers | 1,497 | 2% |
Country of Residence
Top ten countries of residence of invited applicants in 2017:| Country | Express Entry ITAs (in numbers and percentage) | |
| India | 36,310 | 42% |
| China | 7,466 | 9% |
| Nigeria | 5,130 | 6% |
| Pakistan | 3,339 | 4% |
| United Kingdom | 2,652 | 3% |
| United States | 2,030 | 2% |
| Brazil | 1,672 | 2% |
| Iran | 1,382 | 2% |
| Ireland | 1,274 | 1% |
| Australia | 1,264 | 1% |
| Other | 23,503 | 27% |
| 86,022 | 100% | |
Top Destinations
The top three destination provinces in 2017 were Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have attracted more permanent residents than in 2016.| Province/Territory | No. of ITAs issued |
| Ontario | 36,087 |
| British Columbia | 12,401 |
| Alberta | 8,687 |
| Nova Scotia | 2,269 |
| New Brunswick | 1,438 |
| Prince Edward Island | 819 |
| Manitoba | 539 |
| Newfoundland | 206 |
| Northwestern Territories | 55 |
| Yukon | 23 |
| Nunavut | 8 |
As we can see, 2017 has brought some interesting changes. With increased immigration targets, 2018 should be an eventful year for Express Entry. Stay tuned.
About Express Entry
Express Entry is an incredibly fast and efficient system of managing applications for Canadian permanent residence put in place by the Canadian Government in 2015. Under the terms of Express Entry, applicants provide information about their skills, education, language ability, work experience and some details online through a very user-friendly interface.
Once you complete your Express Entry profile, the system automatically assesses your rank in the Express Entry pool, using a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System, and tells you how many points you have. The points are awarded for skills, education, language ability, work experience and other factors. Additional points can be awarded for Canadian degrees, diplomas and certificates, a valid job offer and a nomination from a province or a territory. You immediately see how many points you have.
You can naturally try to complete your Express Entry profile on your own, if you can do everything properly. We, at Jane Katkova and Associates, offer our clients an Express Entry Assist program. We will help you with your Express Entry profile. We know which points to highlight to maximize your score. We know how to present your experience effectively. We know how to comply with specific requirements to streamline your application and improve your chances of an Invitation to Apply.
And, when you receive an Invitation to Apply for Canadian permanent residence, we can help you prepare an error-free, IRCC-ready application, which will run smoothly and quickly through IRCC system. There can be a good deal of paperwork, and we know how to handle that properly.
At Jane Katkova & Associates – Canadian Immigration, Global Mobility Experts we are Immigration consultants. We have already helped hundreds of applicants to make Canada their new home. Call us at +1 (416) 661-4487, or email us to learn how we can help in your specific case!
