Dear future neighbour,
Canada’s Express Entry pool barely moved over the last two weeks of August, and that’s actually the interesting part of the story. Between August 16 and August 30, the pool dropped by just 186 profiles overall, even though nearly 1,800 candidates in the 351–400 CRS range dropped out. At the same time, the number of top-scoring candidates climbed. If you’ve been tracking your own Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and wondering where you stand, this update gives a clear, current picture.
Where the Express Entry pool stands right now
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) publishes a snapshot of the Express Entry pool every two weeks, breaking candidates down by CRS score range. Here’s how the pool looked on August 30, compared to the previous count on August 16:
| CRS score range | August 30 | August 16 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–300 | 7,735 | 7,709 | +26 |
| 301–350 | 17,495 | 17,269 | +226 |
| 351–400 | 46,824 | 48,600 | −1,776 |
| 401–410 | 10,723 | 10,688 | +35 |
| 411–420 | 11,183 | 11,269 | −86 |
| 421–430 | 11,811 | 11,890 | −79 |
| 431–440 | 13,233 | 13,229 | +4 |
| 441–450 | 13,463 | 13,555 | −92 |
| 451–460 | 14,800 | 14,814 | −14 |
| 461–470 | 16,099 | 16,133 | −34 |
| 471–480 | 16,981 | 16,626 | +355 |
| 481–490 | 13,273 | 13,066 | +207 |
| 491–500 | 12,952 | 12,915 | +37 |
| 501–600 | 19,542 | 18,657 | +885 |
| 601–1,200 | 559 | 439 | +120 |
| Total | 226,673 | 226,859 | −186 |
Two things stand out. First, the mid-to-low CRS bands (351–400) saw the biggest drop, which usually happens when a draw pulls a large batch of candidates out of that range. Second, the top end of the pool (501–600) grew by 885 candidates, meaning more high-scoring profiles are joining or improving their standing. If your score sits below 400, you’re in the largest, most crowded part of the pool right now. If you’re above 500, you’re in a much smaller, more competitive group.
Recent draws tell the same story
This growth at the top and thinning in the middle lines up with the draws IRCC actually held. Between August 16 and August 30, two rounds went out:
| Date of draw | Round type | Invitations issued | CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 442 | 760 |
| August 18 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 523 |
| August 19 | French-Language proficiency | 5,000 | 382 |
Notably, the August 18 Canadian Experience Class draw had the highest cutoff of any CEC round held so far this year, which explains why so many mid-range profiles left the pool.
Two more draws followed right after this snapshot was taken, on August 31 and September 1, inviting a combined 2,562 candidates:
| 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 |
With those included, IRCC has issued 117,427 invitations through Express Entry so far in 2026, and Canadian Experience Class candidates have received the largest share of any group, at 43.6% of the year’s total.
Category-based selection is under review for 2027
Separately from these regular draws, IRCC opened a public consultation between August 4 and September 1, 2026, asking whether its category-based selection categories, currently including healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, education, transport, and French-language proficiency, should be adjusted for 2027. The department gathered input from the public, employers, unions, settlement organizations, and immigration researchers as part of the process.
No decisions have been made yet, and IRCC has not confirmed any changes to categories or occupation lists. In past years, new category announcements have typically come out in February, so candidates relying on category eligibility can expect to hear more in the coming months rather than immediately.
A few confirmed data points are worth knowing if you’re weighing your options. French-language proficiency has become the largest category by far, accounting for 49.2% of non-PNP Express Entry invitations in 2025, up sharply from 17.8% in 2023. Canada’s current immigration levels plan sets French-speaking admission targets at 9% for 2026, rising to 9.5% in 2027 and 10.5% in 2028. Healthcare and social services also grew, from 9.7% of invitations in 2023 to 18.6% in 2025. The Transport category, meanwhile, has a track record of change: it launched in 2023, was removed entirely in 2025, and returned again for 2026, so it’s historically been the most variable of the group.
What this means for you
Whether your CRS score puts you in the crowded middle of the pool or you’re wondering how a future policy review might affect your occupation’s eligibility, the smartest move is getting a clear, personalized read on your file before you make any decisions.
Let’s map out your best path to Canadian PR. Every Express Entry profile is different, and general pool data can only tell you so much. At Ese Umoh Immigration, we help clients understand exactly where they stand and how to strengthen their applications across every pathway, including provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, and school admissions. Book a one-on-one consultation today at https://euiacademy.selar.com/30minutes and let’s build a strategy that actually fits your situation.