What was the CRS score cutoff for Express Entry Draw #28?

The minimum CRS cut-off score for Express Entry Draw #28 was 453 points.

How many invitations were issued in Express Entry Round #28?

IRCC issued 1,484 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates.

Which category was targeted in Draw #28?

Draw #28 targeted candidates under the No Program Specified program category.

Express Entry Draw #28: General Cutoff 453 (February 24, 2016)

MINIMUM CRS CUT-OFF 🔻 6 pts

453

INVITATIONS ISSUED (ITAs)

                        1,484
                    

480

2016 General Avg

453

Lowest in 2016

538

Highest in 2016

33,223

2016 General ITAs

Historical Cutoff Trend — Last 8 Rounds

📊 Cut-off Dynamics & Intake Analysis

The minimum CRS threshold declined by 6 points (from 459 down to 453). This point easing was primarily enabled by IRCC issuing 1,484 invitations — an adjustment from the 1,505 ITAs issued during round #27 (14 days prior). Larger invitation sizes directly allow ministerial instructions to reach deeper into candidate tiers within the pool.

With a cutoff established at 453 points, this 2016 round permitted IRCC to access broader candidate tiers across the pool, enabling eligible applicants under the General category to receive invitations below standard general score thresholds.

🎯 Anatomy of a 453 CRS Profile (Targeted General Candidate)

A cutoff of 453 allows qualified candidates to secure permanent residence invitations without needing to compete with hyper-competitive general cutoffs above 515.

Category Qualification: Meets specific IRCC category criteria for General (e.g. NCLC 7 French or 6 months targeted work).
Core Human Capital: Age, Bachelor's or diploma credential, and relevant professional experience.
Language Requirement: Standard category threshold (e.g. CLB 7 for skilled trades/French ability).

Recent Same-Category Draws Comparison

Round	Date	Cut-off	Change	ITAs Issued
#28 THIS DRAW	February 24, 2016	453	🔻 6	1,484
#27	February 10, 2016	459	🔺 +2	1,505
#26	January 27, 2016	457	🔺 +4	1,468
#25	January 13, 2016	453	🔻 8	1,518
#24	January 6, 2016	461	🔺 +1	1,463
#23	December 18, 2015	460	🔻 1	1,503

⏱️ Received an ITA? The 60-Calendar-Day Action Plan

From the moment your Invitation to Apply (ITA) appears in your IRCC account, you have strictly 60 calendar days to submit a complete electronic Application for Permanent Residence (e-APR). Late or incomplete packages are rejected without refund.

1. Police Clearance Certificates (PCC): Order certificates immediately for every country where you lived 6+ consecutive months since age 18.

2. Work Experience Reference Letters: Letters must include official letterhead, job title, exact duties matching the NOC code lead statement, dates, weekly hours (30+ hrs/wk), and remuneration.

3. Upfront Medical Examination (IME): Schedule with an official IRCC panel physician or provide your existing eMedical tracking information.

Settlement Funds: Ensure your bank balances meet the mandatory IRCC low-income cut-off (LICO) for your family size (unless exempt).

Will Your CRS Score Qualify in the Next Round?

Calculate your exact candidate pool rank, see how many applicants are ahead of you, and track real-time cutoff predictions.

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