Express Entry pool declines as high-scoring profiles fall
Canada’s Express Entry candidate pool recorded a net decrease in profiles during the first half of March, according to the latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
As of March 15, 2026, the total number of candidates in the pool declined by 1,172 compared to March 1. The reduction was most visible among candidates with higher Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores.
The figures do not yet reflect additional invitation rounds held between March 16 and 18, during which thousands of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued.
- The Express Entry pool decreased by 1,172 profiles between March 1 and March 15
- The 501–600 CRS range saw the largest drop, with 992 fewer candidates
- More than 8,000 ITAs were issued in draws held from March 16 to March 18
- Earlier draws in March issued over 10,000 ITAs across multiple categories
- New candidate entries offset much of the decline in total profiles
Overview of Express Entry system
Express Entry is Canada’s primary application management system for economic immigration programs, including the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Candidates are ranked using the CRS, which assigns scores based on factors such as age, education, language ability, and work experience. Periodic draws invite top-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence.
Provincial pathways, including streams connected to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, can also contribute to higher CRS scores through additional points.
Changes in pool composition in early March
Between March 1 and March 15, reductions were recorded across multiple score bands, with eight CRS ranges experiencing declines.
The most significant drop occurred in the 501–600 range, which lost 992 profiles. Other notable decreases included 359 fewer candidates in the 401–410 range, 275 fewer in the 421–430 range, and 234 fewer in the 431–440 range.
At the same time, some mid-range and upper-mid ranges saw increases. For example, the 471–480 range grew by 336 profiles, while the 481–490 range rose by 314 candidates.
Overall, the total number of candidates in the pool stood at 231,362 on March 15, down from 232,534 at the beginning of the month.
Impact of recent invitation rounds
The March 15 snapshot does not include outcomes from three subsequent Express Entry draws held between March 16 and March 18.
These draws issued a combined 8,362 ITAs across different categories. A French-language proficiency draw on March 18 invited 4,000 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 393.
A Canadian Experience Class draw on March 17 also issued 4,000 invitations, with a minimum score of 507. A Provincial Nominee Program draw on March 16 invited 362 candidates, with a significantly higher cut-off score of 742.
These rounds are expected to further reduce the number of candidates in higher score ranges, particularly above CRS 500.
Earlier draws and candidate inflows
Before mid-March, four Express Entry draws took place between March 2 and March 5, issuing a total of 10,014 ITAs.
These included category-specific draws for French-language proficiency and candidates with Canadian work experience, as well as a Provincial Nominee Program draw and a targeted round for senior managers.
Despite the large number of invitations issued during this period, the net reduction in the pool remained limited. This indicates that a substantial number of new profiles were submitted during the same timeframe.
Based on the difference between ITAs issued and the net decline in profiles, close to 8,800 new candidates entered the pool in early March.
Distribution of CRS scores
As of March 15, the largest share of candidates remained concentrated in the 351–400 CRS range, accounting for over 53,000 profiles.
Higher score ranges, including 501–600, represented a smaller portion of the pool. This range accounted for just over 13,000 candidates, or approximately 5.6% of all profiles at that time.
The highest scoring band, 601–1200, which typically includes candidates with provincial nominations, contained 360 profiles, representing a very small share of the total pool.
Lower score ranges below 350 continued to make up a notable segment, with gradual increases observed in the 0–300 and 301–350 categories.
Ongoing trends in draws and scores
Recent months have seen frequent large draws targeting specific categories, particularly French-language candidates and those with Canadian work experience.
These draws have contributed to ongoing reductions in CRS cut-off scores for certain categories, while also influencing the composition of the candidate pool.
The continued issuance of invitations across multiple streams reflects IRCC’s current approach to managing immigration targets through category-based selection.
Conclusion
The latest data highlights a modest decline in the overall Express Entry pool alongside more pronounced reductions in higher CRS score ranges.
With additional draws held after March 15, further changes to the distribution of candidates are expected to be reflected in future updates.
Further coverage of Express Entry trends and provincial immigration streams is available through ongoing reporting and analysis of official data releases.