Top Express Entry Scores Rise Sharply in Latest Data

Canada’s Express Entry pool became more competitive at the top end between May 24 and June 21, as the number of high-scoring profiles grew much faster than the pool overall.

During the four-week period, the total number of Express Entry profiles increased from 238,847 to 239,645. That was a net gain of 798 profiles, or 0.33 per cent.

However, the number of candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System, or CRS, scores of 501 and above rose by 14.64 per cent. That means growth in the highest-scoring group was about 4,400 per cent faster than growth in the overall pool.

The 501 to 1,200 score range made up 74.4 per cent of all gains among score bands that grew during the period.

Biggest Growth Seen Above 500 CRS Points

The strongest increase came in the 501 to 600 CRS range. This group grew by 2,067 profiles, rising from 17,945 on May 24 to 20,012 on June 21. It represented 8.35 per cent of the total Express Entry pool.

The 601 to 1,200 range also saw a sharp increase, gaining 609 profiles. That was a change from the previous reporting period, when this band had dropped from 472 to 332 candidates.

Other growing score bands included the 471 to 480 range, which added 278 profiles, and the 481 to 490 range, which added 275 profiles. The 491 to 500 range also increased slightly, with 88 more profiles.

Lower Score Bands Saw Declines

Several lower and middle score bands became smaller during the same period.

The 0 to 400 CRS ranges lost a combined 1,312 profiles. The largest drop in that group came from the 351 to 400 range, which lost 684 profiles.

The 411 to 460 ranges also declined, losing a combined 1,489 profiles. The biggest drop there came from the 431 to 440 range, which fell by 421 profiles.

These lower-band declines were not mainly caused by invitations to apply. During the period, the lowest CRS cut-off in an Express Entry draw was 409. As a result, movement in lower ranges likely came from profile expirations, withdrawals, ineligibility, or candidates improving their scores and moving into higher bands.

IRCC Held Three Draws During the Period

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada held three Express Entry draws between May 24 and June 21.

On May 25, IRCC invited 334 Provincial Nominee Program candidates with a minimum CRS score of 805. On May 27, it invited 3,000 Canadian Experience Class candidates with a cut-off score of 518.

A larger French-language proficiency draw followed on May 28, when 4,500 candidates received invitations. The lowest-ranked invited candidate in that draw had a CRS score of 409.

In total, IRCC issued 7,834 invitations during the reporting period. Even after those invitations, the pool still grew by 798 profiles.

Competition Remains Strong

As of June 21, about 10 per cent of Express Entry profiles were in the highest-scoring band. A typical Canadian Experience Class draw usually invites only the top one to two per cent of profiles.

The June 21 data does not include two later draws. IRCC held a Provincial Nominee Program draw on June 22, issuing 955 invitations with a cut-off score of 730. It also held a Canadian Experience Class draw on June 23, inviting 4,000 candidates with a cut-off score of 515.