Canada’s Express Entry pool became more concentrated at the top between 24 May and 21 June 2026, with high-scoring profiles growing much faster than the overall pool. The total pool increased by only 0.33%, while the number of candidates with CRS scores of 501 or higher rose by 14.64%.
Top-scoring profiles grew fastest
From 24 May to 21 June, the Express Entry pool grew from 238,847 to 239,645 profiles, a net increase of 798 candidates.
The 501–600 Comprehensive Ranking System score range saw the strongest growth, rising by 2,067 profiles. This bracket accounted for 8.35% of the total Express Entry pool as of 21 June.
The broader 501–1,200 range accounted for 74.4% of all profile gains among CRS bands that expanded. Around 10% of Express Entry profiles were in the top-scoring band, while a typical Canadian Experience Class draw invites only the top 1–2% of profiles.
The largest gains outside the 501–600 range were:
- 601–1,200: +609 profiles;
- 471–480: +278 profiles;
- 481–490: +275 profiles.
The increase in the 601–1,200 range reversed the previous reporting period, when that range dropped from 472 to 332 candidates between 26 April and 24 May.
The 471–480 and 481–490 increases continued the pattern of candidate accumulation in upper-mid CRS ranges.
Score bands that declined
Several lower and mid-range bands contracted during the same period.
The 0–400 bands lost a combined 1,312 profiles, including 684 fewer profiles in the 351–400 range.
The 411–460 bands lost a combined 1,489 profiles. The largest decline in that group was in the 431–440 range, which lost 421 profiles.
The decreases in the 0–400 bands were not caused by draw activity, because the lowest CRS cut-off in a draw during the period was 409. These lower-band declines likely came from profile expirations, withdrawals, ineligibility, or candidates improving their scores and moving into higher ranges.
The 21 June pool composition does not include draws held on 22 June and 23 June.
Express Entry pool changes by CRS range
| CRS score range | 24 May | 21 June | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–300 | 8,303 | 8,104 | -199 |
| 301–350 | 18,375 | 17,946 | -429 |
| 351–400 | 52,581 | 51,897 | -684 |
| 401–410 | 11,782 | 11,968 | +186 |
| 411–420 | 12,402 | 12,128 | -274 |
| 421–430 | 12,915 | 12,584 | -331 |
| 431–440 | 14,401 | 13,980 | -421 |
| 441–450 | 14,463 | 14,147 | -316 |
| 451–460 | 15,274 | 15,127 | -147 |
| 461–470 | 16,262 | 16,358 | +96 |
| 471–480 | 17,040 | 17,318 | +278 |
| 481–490 | 13,323 | 13,598 | +275 |
| 491–500 | 13,449 | 13,537 | +88 |
| 501–600 | 17,945 | 20,012 | +2,067 |
| 601–1,200 | 332 | 941 | +609 |
| Total | 238,847 | 239,645 | +798 |
Draw activity during the period
IRCC held three Express Entry draws between 24 May and 21 June, issuing 7,834 invitations to apply.
| Date | Round type | Invitations issued | Lowest CRS invited |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 May | Provincial Nominee Program | 334 | 805 |
| 27 May | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 518 |
| 28 May | French-language proficiency | 4,500 | 409 |
Despite those 7,834 invitations, the pool still grew by 798 profiles.
The pool can grow when new profiles are created, aged-out profiles are reactivated, or invalid profiles become valid again because of changes.
The pool can shrink when profiles expire, are withdrawn, become invalid because of eligibility changes, or receive invitations.
Competitiveness as of 21 June
As of 21 June, candidates in the 501–600 range made up 8.35% of the pool, while candidates in the 601–1,200 range made up 0.39%.
| CRS score range | Candidates | Cumulative | Percentile range | Share of pool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–300 | 8,104 | 8,104 | 0.00%–3.38% | 3.38% |
| 301–350 | 17,946 | 26,050 | 3.38%–10.87% | 7.49% |
| 351–400 | 51,897 | 77,947 | 10.87%–32.53% | 21.66% |
| 401–410 | 11,968 | 89,915 | 32.53%–37.52% | 4.99% |
| 411–420 | 12,128 | 102,043 | 37.52%–42.58% | 5.06% |
| 421–430 | 12,584 | 114,627 | 42.58%–47.83% | 5.25% |
| 431–440 | 13,980 | 128,607 | 47.83%–53.67% | 5.83% |
| 441–450 | 14,147 | 142,754 | 53.67%–59.57% | 5.90% |
| 451–460 | 15,127 | 157,881 | 59.57%–65.88% | 6.31% |
| 461–470 | 16,358 | 174,239 | 65.88%–72.71% | 6.83% |
| 471–480 | 17,318 | 191,557 | 72.71%–79.93% | 7.23% |
| 481–490 | 13,598 | 205,155 | 79.93%–85.61% | 5.67% |
| 491–500 | 13,537 | 218,692 | 85.61%–91.26% | 5.65% |
| 501–600 | 20,012 | 238,704 | 91.26%–99.61% | 8.35% |
| 601–1,200 | 941 | 239,645 | 99.61%–100.00% | 0.39% |
The percentile figures show how many candidates had CRS scores at or below the upper limit of each range. The figures are shown as ranges because candidates within each CRS bracket can fall between the two percentile boundaries.
Draws not included in the 21 June data
The 21 June distribution does not include two later Express Entry draws:
| Date | Round type | Invitations issued | Lowest CRS invited |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 June | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 515 |
| 22 June | Provincial Nominee Program | 955 | 730 |
The main practical implication is that competition at the top of the Express Entry pool increased sharply during the four-week period, especially above 500 CRS points. Candidates below recent draw cut-offs may face more pressure unless they can improve their score, qualify for a targeted category, or receive a provincial nomination.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
