Express Entry Competition Drops: 4,600 Top Candidates Exit Pool
In recent months, competition within Canada’s Express Entry pool has significantly reduced. For the second consecutive month, a substantial number of high-scoring candidates have exited the pool, enhancing opportunities for those with lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores. As of January 2023, over 4,600 profiles with scores between 501 and 600 have left.
Profile Exits and Draws
A major contributing factor to this decline was the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw held on January 7, 2023. As a result, 4,672 profiles in the 501-600 score range were removed from the Express Entry pool. This shift is expected to lower the CRS scores needed for receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), giving better chances to candidates with lower scores.
Current Composition of the Express Entry Pool
As of January 19, 2023, the Express Entry pool shows a change in the distribution of profiles compared to January 4, 2023. The total number of profiles increased slightly by 566, with profile changes summarized below:
| CRS Score Range | Distribution (Jan 4) | Distribution (Jan 19) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-300 | 8,125 | 8,269 | +144 |
| 301-350 | 18,745 | 19,062 | +317 |
| 351-400 | 52,469 | 53,221 | +752 |
| 401-410 | 11,438 | 11,858 | +420 |
| 411-420 | 12,442 | 12,863 | +421 |
| 421-430 | 12,816 | 13,092 | +276 |
| 431-440 | 14,285 | 14,571 | +286 |
| 441-450 | 14,139 | 14,452 | +313 |
| 451-460 | 14,835 | 15,209 | +374 |
| 461-470 | 14,881 | 15,320 | +439 |
| 471-480 | 15,435 | 15,965 | +530 |
| 481-490 | 12,499 | 12,942 | +443 |
| 491-500 | 12,873 | 13,278 | +405 |
| 501-600 | 21,013 | 16,341 | -4,672 |
| 601-1200 | 559 | 677 | +118 |
| Total | 236,554 | 237,120 | +566 |
Understanding Candidate Percentiles
The following table highlights the distribution of candidates across various CRS score ranges. This information provides insight into how candidates rank within the overall pool as of January 19, 2023.
| CRS Score Range | Number of Candidates | Percentile Range | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-300 | 8,269 | 0.00%–3.49% | 3.49% |
| 301-350 | 19,062 | 3.49%–11.53% | 8.04% |
| 351-400 | 53,221 | 11.53%–33.97% | 22.44% |
| 401-410 | 11,858 | 33.97%–38.97% | 5.00% |
| 411-420 | 12,863 | 38.97%–44.40% | 5.42% |
| 421-430 | 13,092 | 44.40%–49.92% | 5.52% |
| 431-440 | 14,571 | 49.92%–56.06% | 6.14% |
| 441-450 | 14,452 | 56.06%–62.16% | 6.09% |
| 451-460 | 15,209 | 62.16%–68.57% | 6.41% |
| 461-470 | 15,320 | 68.57%–75.03% | 6.46% |
| 471-480 | 15,965 | 75.03%–81.77% | 6.73% |
| 481-490 | 12,942 | 81.77%–87.22% | 5.46% |
| 491-500 | 13,278 | 87.22%–92.82% | 5.60% |
| 501-600 | 16,341 | 92.82%–99.71% | 6.89% |
| 601-1200 | 677 | 99.71%–100.00% | 0.29% |
| Total | 237,120 |
With a noticeable decrease in high-scoring candidates, it appears that lower-scoring profiles may experience increased chances of success in the Express Entry process. For candidates, understanding their standing becomes vital as they navigate this evolving landscape.
