Canada has released the latest Express Entry profile distribution, showing noticeable changes in the candidate pool between July 5 and July 19, 2026. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the total number of profiles in the Express Entry pool dropped by 3,594 during this two-week period.
The latest update also shows that the number of candidates with higher Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores declined. Almost every CRS score range above 420 recorded fewer candidates compared to the previous update. The number of profiles with CRS scores above 500 also decreased during this period.
The updated figures give candidates a better understanding of the current competition within the Express Entry system and how the pool continues to change after each invitation round.
Latest Express Entry Pool Distribution
The following table compares the composition of the Express Entry pool as of July 19 with the distribution as of July 5 (the previous update):
| CRS Score Range | July 5 | July 19 | Difference |
| 0–300 | 7,873 | 7,836 | -37 |
| 301–350 | 17,513 | 17,490 | -23 |
| 351–400 | 51,096 | 51,107 | +11 |
| 401–410 | 12,144 | 12,339 | +195 |
| 411–420 | 12,383 | 12,460 | +77 |
| 421–430 | 12,870 | 11,961 | -909 |
| 431–440 | 14,127 | 13,437 | -690 |
| 441–450 | 14,294 | 13,680 | -614 |
| 451–460 | 15,378 | 14,879 | -499 |
| 461–470 | 16,499 | 16,086 | -413 |
| 471–480 | 16,198 | 16,119 | -79 |
| 481–490 | 12,555 | 12,615 | +60 |
| 491–500 | 13,061 | 12,880 | -181 |
| 501–600 | 18,611 | 18,133 | -478 |
| 601–1,200 | 525 | 511 | -14 |
| Total | 235,127 | 231,533 | -3,594 |
The biggest decline was seen in the 421- 430 CRS score range, which lost 909 profiles. Other score ranges above 430 also recorded steady decreases. Overall, the number of candidates with CRS scores between 601 and 1,200 fell from 525 to 511, while the number of candidates scoring between 501 and 600 also declined.
Express Entry Pool Competitiveness As Of July 19
The table below provides insight into Express Entry pool competitiveness by showing the proportion of candidates in each Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score range alongside the percentile ranges associated with the upper and lower limits of that range.
The figures are calculated using Express Entry pool data from July 19.
| CRS Score Range | Number Of Candidates | Cumulative | Percentile Range | Percentage |
| 0–300 | 7,836 | 7,836 | 0.00%–3.38% | 3.38% |
| 301–350 | 17,490 | 25,326 | 3.38%–10.94% | 7.55% |
| 351–400 | 51,107 | 76,433 | 10.94%–33.01% | 22.07% |
| 401–410 | 12,339 | 88,772 | 33.01%–38.34% | 5.33% |
| 411–420 | 12,460 | 101,232 | 38.34%–43.72% | 5.38% |
| 421–430 | 11,961 | 113,193 | 43.72%–48.89% | 5.17% |
| 431–440 | 13,437 | 126,630 | 48.89%–54.69% | 5.80% |
| 441–450 | 13,680 | 140,310 | 54.69%–60.60% | 5.91% |
| 451–460 | 14,879 | 155,189 | 60.60%–67.03% | 6.43% |
| 461–470 | 16,086 | 171,275 | 67.03%–73.97% | 6.95% |
| 471–480 | 16,119 | 187,394 | 73.97%–80.94% | 6.96% |
| 481–490 | 12,615 | 200,009 | 80.94%–86.38% | 5.45% |
| 491–500 | 12,880 | 212,889 | 86.38%–91.95% | 5.56% |
| 501–600 | 18,133 | 231,022 | 91.95%–99.78% | 7.83% |
| 601–1,200 | 511 | 231,533 | 99.78%–100.00% | 0.22% |
These figures show where candidates fall within the current Express Entry pool. The percentile ranges represent the share of candidates who have CRS scores equal to or below the upper limit of each score band. Since every score range contains multiple CRS scores, the percentiles are shown as ranges rather than a single value.
Recent Draws Not Included In The Latest Pool Data
IRCC did not include the two invitation rounds held on July 20 and July 21 in the July 19 Express Entry distribution.
| Date Of Draw | Round Type | Invitations Issued | CRS Score Of Lowest-Ranked Candidate |
| July 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 511 | 744 |
| July 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 2,000 | 516 |
Since these two draws took place after July 19, their impact will appear in the next Express Entry profile distribution.
What Caused The Changes In The Express Entry Pool?
Between July 5 and July 19, IRCC conducted four Express Entry invitation rounds. During this period, a total of 8,034 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued.
| Date Of Draw | Round Type | Invitations Issued | CRS Score Of Lowest-Ranked Candidate Invited |
| July 6 | Provincial Nominee Program | 534 | 708 |
| July 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 2,000 | 517 |
| July 9 | French-Language proficiency | 5,000 | 420 |
| July 10 | Senior managers with Canadian Work Experience | 500 | 392 |
These invitation rounds helped reduce the size of the Express Entry pool, especially in the higher CRS score ranges, as many eligible candidates received invitations to apply for permanent residence.
How Does The Express Entry System Work?
Express Entry is Canada’s main system for managing applications for economic immigration outside Quebec. Candidates must first qualify under at least one of the following federal immigration programs:
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC);
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program; or
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Eligible candidates receive a Comprehensive Ranking System score based on factors such as age, education, language ability, and work experience. IRCC regularly conducts invitation rounds and selects the highest-ranking candidates for permanent residence.
Canada also holds category-based Express Entry draws for candidates with specific skills or qualifications that match labour market needs. These include French-language proficiency and occupations such as healthcare and social services, trades, STEM, education, and transport.
In 2026, Canadian Experience Class draws have recorded CRS cut-off scores between 507 and 518, while healthcare and social services draws have had lower cut-offs ranging from 462 to 476.
Candidates who receive an Invitation to Apply generally have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application. Express Entry continues to be one of Canada’s fastest immigration pathways, while provincial nominee applications submitted through the base Provincial Nominee Program usually require a longer review period.
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