In the two‑week period from 30 August to 13 September 2026, Canada’s Express Entry pool grew by only 120 profiles, while the number of candidates with scores in the 471‑500 range fell by 2,085. At the same time, the count of top‑scoring profiles (501‑600) rose by 1,257, increasing from 20,101 to 21,358.
Pool composition by CRS score (September 13 vs. August 30)
| CRS range | Sep 13 candidates | Aug 30 candidates | 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 |
| 601‑1,200 (total) | 226,793 | 226,673 | +120 |
Percentile distribution (as of 13 September)
- 0‑300: 0.00 %–3.42 % (3.42 % of pool)
- 301‑350: 3.42 %–11.02 % (7.60 %)
- 351‑400: 11.02 %–31.64 % (20.63 %)
- 401‑410: 31.64 %–36.51 % (4.86 %)
- 411‑420: 36.51 %–41.58 % (5.07 %)
- 421‑430: 41.58 %–46.90 % (5.32 %)
- 431‑440: 46.90 %–52.77 % (5.86 %)
- 441‑450: 52.77 %–58.79 % (6.02 %)
- 451‑460: 58.79 %–65.32 % (6.54 %)
- 461‑470: 65.32 %–72.45 % (7.13 %)
- 471‑480: 72.45 %–79.55 % (7.10 %)
- 481‑490: 79.55 %–85.03 % (5.48 %)
- 491‑500: 85.03 %–90.58 % (5.55 %)
- 501‑600: 90.58 %–99.75 % (9.16 %)
- 601‑1,200: 99.75 %–100.00 % (0.25 %)
The percentile figures show the share of the pool scoring at or below the upper bound of each range; candidates within a band can occupy any percentile between the two limits.
Draws not reflected in the September 13 snapshot
Two draws held after the snapshot issued a total of 2,576 invitations:
| Date | Draw type | Invitations | Lowest CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Sept | Provincial Nominee Program | 576 | 734 |
| 15 Sept | Canadian Experience Class | 2,000 | 519 |
Including these, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 128,732 invitations in 2026, with 41.4 % going to Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates.
Draw activity between August 30 and September 13
Four draws occurred in this window, delivering 6,291 invitations:
| Date | Draw type | Invitations | Lowest CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Aug | Provincial Nominee Program | 562 | 697 |
| 1 Sept | Canadian Experience Class | 2,000 | 521 |
| 3 Sept | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 229 | 198 |
| 4 Sept | Healthcare and Social Services | 3,500 | 475 |
The August 31 PNP draw had the lowest cutoff of the year (697), while the September 1 CEC draw produced the second‑highest CEC cutoff (521).
How Express Entry works
- Eligibility: Candidates must qualify for at least one of three federal economic programs (Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Canadian Experience Class). Quebec runs a separate system.
- CRS scoring: Points are awarded for age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and other factors (e.g., French language, provincial nomination, job offer).
- Draws: IRCC conducts regular draws, selecting candidates based on CRS rank. Category‑specific draws (e.g., healthcare, French language) often have lower cutoffs than general draws.
- Invitation to Apply (ITA): Selected candidates have 60 days to submit a complete permanent‑residence application.
- Processing times: Standard Express Entry applications typically take about six months; Base Provincial Nominee applications can take 12–20 months.
- Outcome: Successful applicants receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), required for entry at a Canadian port of entry.
These data illustrate a modest net increase in the pool, a shift of candidates toward higher CRS brackets, and the continued impact of targeted draws on overall invitation volumes.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
