By admin
Express Entry pool sees relief as more than 4,000 high-CRS profiles leave
Competition in Canada’s Express Entry pool has begun to ease following a series of large and consistent draws over the past month. Recent data shows a notable decline in the number of high-scoring candidates, reducing overall pressure at the top of the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scale.
Over the last month, the number of candidates with CRS scores between 501 and 1,200 fell by 4,928 profiles, representing an 18.2% decline from a peak of 27,110 profiles recorded one month earlier.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), a total of 8,404 profiles were removed from the Express Entry pool during this period. More than half of these removals 4,622 profiles came from the 501–600 CRS score range, highlighting a strong focus on higher-ranked candidates.
This sustained reduction in the top CRS bands signals a meaningful drop in the competitiveness of the Express Entry pool.
As a result, the total number of candidates in the pool declined to 237,302, the lowest level recorded since March.
Current Composition of the Express Entry Pool
Below is the latest distribution of Express Entry profiles as of December 14, compared with figures from November 9:
| CRS Score Range | Candidates (Dec 14) | Change Since Nov 9 |
| 0–300 | 8,069 | +51 |
| 301–350 | 18,829 | -275 |
| 351–400 | 52,574 | +214 |
| 401–410 | 13,595 | -454 |
| 411–420 | 12,367 | -1,347 |
| 421–430 | 12,750 | -126 |
| 431–440 | 14,244 | -76 |
| 441–450 | 13,992 | +12 |
| 451–460 | 14,842 | +90 |
| 461–470 | 14,535 | -1,295 |
| 471–480 | 14,859 | -183 |
| 481–490 | 12,149 | -166 |
| 491–500 | 12,315 | +79 |
| 501–600 | 21,792 | -4,622 |
| 601–1,200 | 390 | -306 |
| Total | 237,302 | -8,404 |
Most of the reductions occurred in the 501–600, 461–470, and 411–420 CRS ranges. Together, these three score bands accounted for 86% of all profiles removed from the pool during the past month.
IRCC’s recent draw patterns, particularly large CEC, French-language, and category-based draws appear to have contributed significantly to these declines.
How Candidates Rank in the Current Express Entry Pool
The table below shows how candidates are distributed across CRS score ranges, along with percentile rankings that indicate how each score band compares with the rest of the pool.
| CRS Score Range | Candidates | Share of Pool | Percentile Range |
| 0–300 | 8,069 | 3.40% | 0.00% – 3.40% |
| 301–350 | 18,829 | 7.93% | 3.40% – 11.33% |
| 351–400 | 52,574 | 22.15% | 11.33% – 33.49% |
| 401–410 | 13,595 | 5.73% | 33.49% – 39.22% |
| 411–420 | 12,367 | 5.21% | 39.22% – 44.43% |
| 421–430 | 12,750 | 5.37% | 44.43% – 49.80% |
| 431–440 | 14,244 | 6.00% | 49.80% – 55.81% |
| 441–450 | 13,992 | 5.90% | 55.81% – 61.70% |
| 451–460 | 14,842 | 6.25% | 61.70% – 67.96% |
| 461–470 | 14,535 | 6.13% | 67.96% – 74.08% |
| 471–480 | 14,859 | 6.26% | 74.08% – 80.34% |
| 481–490 | 12,149 | 5.12% | 80.34% – 85.46% |
| 491–500 | 12,315 | 5.19% | 85.46% – 90.65% |
| 501–600 | 21,792 | 9.18% | 90.65% – 99.84% |
| 601–1,200 | 390 | 0.16% | 99.84% – 100% |
Candidates in the 501+ CRS range remain within the top 10% of the pool, while those above 600 CRS are positioned in the top fraction of one percent.
Express Entry Draws Held Between November 9 and December 17
Between November 9 and December 17, IRCC conducted 12 Express Entry draws, issuing a total of 32,513 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) , one of the most active periods of the year.
Draw activity during this period included:
- Four Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws, issuing 13,000 ITAs, with CRS cut-offs ranging from 515 to 533
- Four Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws, issuing 3,013 ITAs, with CRS cut-offs between 699 and 738
- Two healthcare and social services category-based draws, issuing 4,500 ITAs, with CRS cut-offs of 462 and 476
- Two French language proficiency draws, issuing a combined 12,000 ITAs, with CRS cut-offs of 408 and 399, the lowest scores recorded during this period
Overall, CEC and French-language draws dominated invitation activity, while PNP rounds continued to invite smaller but high-scoring groups.
Summary of Recent Express Entry Draws
| Date | Draw Type | ITAs Issued | CRS Cut-off |
| Dec 17 | French language proficiency | 6,000 | 399 |
| Dec 16 | Canadian Experience Class | 5,000 | 515 |
| Dec 15 | Provincial Nominee Program | 399 | 731 |
| Dec 11 | Healthcare occupations | 1,000 | 476 |
| Dec 10 | Canadian Experience Class | 6,000 | 520 |
| Dec 8 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,123 | 729 |
| Nov 28 | French language proficiency | 6,000 | 408 |
| Nov 26 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 531 |
| Nov 25 | Provincial Nominee Program | 777 | 699 |
| Nov 14 | Healthcare occupations | 3,500 | 462 |
| Nov 12 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 533 |
| Nov 10 | Provincial Nominee Program | 714 | 738 |