Canada's Express Entry pool recorded a modest increase of 120 profiles between August 30 and September 13, according to the latest data from the country's immigration department. During this two week period, the number of top scoring profiles within the pool rose by 1,257, from 20,101 to 21,358, indicating heightened competitiveness among candidates. This increase was largely driven by the 501 to 600 score bracket.
Specifically, the Express Entry pool grew by 120 profiles from August 30 to September 13. Concurrently, 2,085 fewer profiles were reported in the 471 to 500 score range. The number of top scoring profiles in the 501 to 600 score bracket increased by 1,242, contributing to the overall rise of 1,257 top scoring profiles in the pool.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC, conducted four Express Entry draws during this period, inviting a total of 6,291 candidates. These draws included a Provincial Nominee Program draw on August 31, a Canadian Experience Class draw on September 1, a Physicians with Canadian Work Experience draw on September 3, and a Healthcare and Social Services draw on September 4.
The August 31 Provincial Nominee Program draw issued 562 invitations with a Comprehensive Ranking System, or CRS, score of 697. On September 1, the Canadian Experience Class draw invited 2,000 candidates with a CRS score of 521. The September 3 draw for Physicians with Canadian Work Experience issued 229 invitations at a CRS score of 198. Finally, the Healthcare and Social Services draw on September 4 invited 3,500 candidates with a CRS score of 475.
As of September 13, the total Express Entry pool comprised 226,793 profiles. This snapshot does not include two additional Express Entry draws held on September 14 and September 15, which collectively issued 2,576 Invitations to Apply for permanent residence.
The September 14 draw was for the Provincial Nominee Program, issuing 576 invitations with a CRS score of 734. The September 15 draw targeted the Canadian Experience Class, issuing 2,000 invitations with a CRS score of 519.
Express Entry serves as the federal government's primary system for managing economic immigration applications from skilled workers seeking permanent residence outside Quebec. Candidates entering the pool receive CRS scores based on factors such as age, education, official language proficiency, and work experience.
IRCC periodically conducts draws to select candidates from the pool and invite them to apply for permanent residence. The department also performs category based selections, which target candidates aligned with specific economic or labor market priorities. These category based draws generally have substantially lower CRS cutoffs than other Express Entry draw types. There are 10 Express Entry categories, including French language proficiency and occupation based categories such as healthcare and social services, education, transport, and trades.
As of 2026, IRCC has issued 128,732 Invitations to Apply, with Canadian Experience Class candidates receiving 41.4 percent of those invitations. Healthcare and social services rounds in 2026 have ranged from 467 to 475 in CRS scores, while Canadian Experience Class draws have ranged from 507 to 523.
Candidates selected through Express Entry are granted 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application before their invitation expires. Historically, processing of Express Entry permanent residence applications has taken approximately six months.
Base Provincial Nominee Program applications have generally required longer processing times, with recent timelines spanning 12 to 20 months. Approved applicants receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence, which must be presented to border officials upon travel to Canada.
The percentile figures represent the share of the pool scoring at or below the upper threshold of each CRS range, providing a measure of competitiveness within the pool.
The Express Entry pool experienced a modest overall increase in profiles, but a notable rise in the number of top scoring candidates. This trend indicates a continued competitive environment for those seeking permanent residence in Canada.