Maple News reports a significant drop in competition within Canada’s Express Entry system, as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues to issue high numbers of Invitations to Apply (ITAs). In the last month, the Express Entry pool saw a sharp 18.2% decline in the number of top-scoring candidates—those with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores between 501 and 1200. Specifically, 4,928 profiles exited this range, reducing the tally from 27,110 to 22,182.
Since mid-November, IRCC has selected 8,404 candidates from the Express Entry pool, with more than half (4,622) coming from the 501–600 score range. As a result, the overall size of the pool has fallen to 237,302 profiles—the lowest level recorded since March 2025.
This shift in profile distribution points to a temporary easing of competition, particularly for those within mid and high CRS score ranges. The most significant decreases occurred in the 501–600, 461–470, and 411–420 bands, creating more opportunity for candidates in the mid-400s to be considered in upcoming draws.
A detailed breakdown shows that candidates in the 351–400 and 451–460 ranges saw slight increases, suggesting a replenishment of moderate-scoring profiles as higher scores exit the system. These shifts align with IRCC’s ongoing strategy to stabilize invitation rounds and diversify the talent pipeline.
Here’s the current profile distribution as of December 14:
– CRS 501–600: 21,792 candidates (down by 4,622)
– CRS 461–470: 14,535 candidates (down by 1,295)
– CRS 411–420: 12,367 candidates (down by 1,347)
Other notable ranges include:
– CRS 471–480: 14,859 candidates
– CRS 351–400: 52,574 candidates (slight increase)
– CRS 0–300: 8,069 candidates
For candidates preparing to enter the pool or awaiting an ITA, these changes could indicate improved odds, particularly for profiles in the mid-400s. However, with Canada’s immigration targets still set high, experts expect the draw sizes and frequency to remain elevated heading into early 2026.
According to Maple News, candidates should monitor pool updates and consider improving their CRS scores through additional education, work experience, language testing, or Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) pathways. As the Express Entry system continues to evolve, proactivity remains key.
Stay tuned with Maple News for ongoing updates on immigration policy and Express Entry developments.