Canada’s immigration department has released updated data on the number of candidates in the Express Entry pool and their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores.
Between August 30 and September 13, the pool grew by 120 profiles, reaching 226,793 candidates. This small overall increase came alongside a notable drop in the 471 – 500 score range, which had 2,085 fewer profiles.
At the same time, the number of candidates with scores above 500 increased by 1,257, mainly because more profiles were reported in the 501 – 600 range.
Express Entry Pool By CRS Score Range
The table compares the pool’s composition on September 13 with the figures from August 30.
| CRS Score Range | September 13 | August 30 | Difference |
| 0 – 300 | 7,746 | 7,735 | +11 |
| 301 – 350 | 17,240 | 17,495 | -255 |
| 351 – 400 | 46,782 | 46,824 | -42 |
| 401 – 410 | 11,033 | 10,723 | +310 |
| 411 – 420 | 11,506 | 11,183 | +323 |
| 421 – 430 | 12,064 | 11,811 | +253 |
| 431 – 440 | 13,300 | 13,233 | +67 |
| 441 – 450 | 13,657 | 13,463 | +194 |
| 451 – 460 | 14,823 | 14,800 | +23 |
| 461 – 470 | 16,163 | 16,099 | +64 |
| 471 – 480 | 16,105 | 16,981 | -876 |
| 481 – 490 | 12,426 | 13,273 | -847 |
| 491 – 500 | 12,590 | 12,952 | -362 |
| 501 – 600 | 20,784 | 19,542 | +1,242 |
| 601 – 1,200 | 574 | 559 | +15 |
| Total | 226,793 | 226,673 | +120 |
How Competitive Is The Pool?
The next table shows how many candidates fall within each CRS score range, their cumulative total, and the percentile range represented by each band. The figures reflect the pool on September 13.
| CRS Score Range | Number Of Candidates | Cumulative | Percentile Range | Percentage |
| 0 – 300 | 7,746 | 7,746 | 0.00%–3.42% | 3.42% |
| 301 – 350 | 17,240 | 24,986 | 3.42%–11.02% | 7.60% |
| 351 – 400 | 46,782 | 71,768 | 11.02%–31.64% | 20.63% |
| 401 – 410 | 11,033 | 82,801 | 31.64%–36.51% | 4.86% |
| 411 – 420 | 11,506 | 94,307 | 36.51%–41.58% | 5.07% |
| 421 – 430 | 12,064 | 106,371 | 41.58%–46.90% | 5.32% |
| 431 – 440 | 13,300 | 119,671 | 46.90%–52.77% | 5.86% |
| 441 – 450 | 13,657 | 133,328 | 52.77%–58.79% | 6.02% |
| 451 – 460 | 14,823 | 148,151 | 58.79%–65.32% | 6.54% |
| 461 – 470 | 16,163 | 164,314 | 65.32%–72.45% | 7.13% |
| 471 – 480 | 16,105 | 180,419 | 72.45%–79.55% | 7.10% |
| 481 – 490 | 12,426 | 192,845 | 79.55%–85.03% | 5.48% |
| 491 – 500 | 12,590 | 205,435 | 85.03%–90.58% | 5.55% |
| 501 – 600 | 20,784 | 226,219 | 90.58%–99.75% | 9.16% |
| 601 – 1,200 | 574 | 226,793 | 99.75%–100.00% | 0.25% |
The percentile figures show the share of candidates scoring at or below the upper limit of each range. They are expressed as ranges because candidates within the same score band can occupy different positions in the pool.
Draws Not Included In The September Snapshot
The September 13 data does not include the two draws held on September 14 and 15. Those rounds issued a combined 2,576 invitations to apply for permanent residence.
| Date Of Draw | Round Type | Invitations Issued | CRS Score Of Lowest-Ranked Candidate |
| September 14 | Provincial Nominee Program | 576 | 734 |
| September 15 | Canadian Experience Class | 2,000 | 519 |
After these draws, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada had issued 128,732 invitations in 2026. Canadian Experience Class candidates received 41.4% of them.
What Changed In The Pool?
Four draws took place between August 30 and September 13, issuing 6,291 invitations in total.
| Date Of Draw | Round Type | Invitations Issued | CRS Score Of Lowest-Ranked Candidate |
| August 31 | Provincial Nominee Program | 562 | 697 |
| September 1 | Canadian Experience Class | 2,000 | 521 |
| September 3 | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 229 | 198 |
| September 4 | Healthcare and Social Services | 3,500 | 475 |
The August 31 Provincial Nominee Program draw had the lowest cutoff score for that program in 2026. The September 1 Canadian Experience Class round had the year’s second-highest cutoff for that class.
Despite these selections, the pool grew by 120 profiles during the period. The figures show that changes in individual score bands can be substantial even when the overall pool remains nearly unchanged.
How Express Entry Works?
Express Entry manages applications for three federal economic immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Candidates must qualify for at least one of these programs to enter the pool.
Eligible candidates receive CRS scores based on factors such as age, education, language ability, and work experience. Immigration officials periodically invite candidates from the pool to apply for permanent residence.
The department also holds category-based draws for candidates with specific skills or experience. These may include French-language proficiency and occupations linked to areas such as healthcare, education, transport, and trades.
Moreover, candidates who receive an invitation generally have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application. An invitation does not guarantee approval; applicants must still meet all program requirements and provide the necessary documents.
Permanent residence applications through Express Entry have historically taken about six months to process. Applications through the base Provincial Nominee Program have generally taken longer, with recent estimates ranging from 12 to 20 months.
Applicants whose cases are approved receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence, which they must present to border officials when travelling to Canada.
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