Following a bustling August and a record-breaking number of draws in July, Canada’s Express Entry system has undergone notable shifts in the candidate pool and the profile of newcomers receiving invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence (PR).
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To keep candidates and prospective immigrants well-informed, this update provides a detailed breakdown of the current composition of the Express Entry pool and tracks the cut-off scores from various draws over the past month.
The Current State of the Express Entry Pool
Draws in August
August witnessed five Express Entry draws, with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issuing over 10,000 ITAs. This marked a return to the regular bi-weekly draw schedule.
The draws in August highlight recent changes introduced by Minister of Immigration Marc Miller. For instance, the increased focus on Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws aligns with Miller’s March announcement, where he expressed a commitment to prioritizing more “domestic” draws within the federal immigration system. He also indicated that he would urge provincial counterparts to adopt a similar approach with their PNPs.
The rationale behind this shift is to alleviate pressure on Canada’s housing market and mitigate potential impacts on affordability by limiting the influx of new immigrants. Instead, the department is focusing on prioritizing individuals already in Canada as temporary residents—primarily those on work permits—who are eligible to transition to permanent residence. This approach not only supports housing stability but also helps IRCC achieve its annual immigration targets for permanent residents.
In addition, Canada has recently underscored the significance of Francophone immigration by announcing an increase in the percentage of Francophone immigrants allocated to provinces outside Quebec. The percentage will rise from 6% this year to 7% in 2025, and 8% in 2026. So far in 2024, there have been seven draws specifically for French language proficiency, resulting in over 19,000 ITAs issued.
What is the distribution of scores in the pool currently?
As of August 27th (the date of the most recent draw at the time of writing), the breakdown of scores within the Express Entry pool:
| CRS score range | Number of candidates |
|---|---|
| 0-300 | 5,491 |
| 301-350 | 24,396 |
| 351-400 | 52,363 |
| 401-410 | 10,155 |
| 411-420 | 10,493 |
| 421-430 | 9,814 |
| 431-440 | 11,142 |
| 441-450 | 10,259 |
| 451-460 | 10,779 |
| 461-470 | 12,676 |
| 471-480 | 14,722 |
| 481-490 | 12,038 |
| 491-500 | 10,918 |
| 501-600 | 9,764 |
| 601-1200 | 127 |
Comparison of Each Score to Overall Distribution
The table below illustrates how each CRS score compares to the overall distribution. It assigns a percentile to the top end of each CRS score range, assuming that candidates with the highest score within each range represent the total number of candidates for that score range (e.g., in the 0-300 score range, it is assumed that candidates scoring 300 have 5,490 candidates with lower scores in the Express Entry pool).
| CRS score range | Number of candidates | Percentile (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 0-300 | 5,491 | 2.68 |
| 301-350 | 24,396 | 14.57 |
| 351-400 | 52,363 | 40.10 |
| 401-410 | 10,155 | 45.04 |
| 411-420 | 10,493 | 50.20 |
| 421-430 | 9,814 | 55.00 |
| 431-440 | 11,142 | 60.40 |
| 441-450 | 10,259 | 65.40 |
| 451-460 | 10,779 | 70.60 |
| 461-470 | 12,676 | 76.80 |
| 471-480 | 14,722 | 84.00 |
| 481-490 | 12,038 | 90.00 |
| 491-500 | 10,918 | 95.18 |
| 501-600 | 9,764 | 99.93 |
| 601-1200 | 127 | 100 |
| Total | 205,137 |
Conclusion
As of September 2024, the Express Entry pool has experienced notable changes and strategic realignments in Canada’s immigration policies. The series of draws in August, influenced by recent directives from Minister of Immigration Marc Miller, highlights a shift toward prioritizing domestic candidates, particularly those already residing in Canada on temporary permits. This strategy aims to alleviate housing pressures while meeting the country’s permanent residence goals. Additionally, the increased focus on Francophone immigration and the rising allocation for provinces outside Quebec underscore Canada’s dedication to fostering linguistic diversity.
These evolving draw patterns and scoring trends reflect a broader strategy to balance immigration objectives with housing and economic factors. As the Express Entry system continues to adapt, it is crucial for candidates and prospective immigrants to stay informed about these changes to navigate the application process successfully.
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