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The Canadian Express Entry database recorded a small growth by the second half of April, while the competition among high-scoring candidates remained tougher as more applicants entered the high CRS range.
According to the latest pool composition data, there has been an increase of only 897 profiles from April 12 to April 26, bringing the total to 234,452 candidates. This is a drastic reduction in growth rate as compared to the last reporting period, which recorded an increase of more than 2,100 profiles.
Despite having fewer applicants compared to previous weeks, the highest pressure remains at the top of the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The 501-600 score range recorded 250 additional applicants within the two-week period. Meanwhile, the 601-1200 range welcomed 147 additional applicants due to the addition of 600 CRS points for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicants.
This trend is shown in the recent draws. The Canadian Experience Draw (CEC) held on April 28 showed only 2,000 selections by IRCC with a CRS cutoff mark of 514. The tie-breaking rule reached back to profiles submitted on September 24, 2025, indicating how crowded the high CRS brackets are now.
Want to improve your chances of receiving an invitation? Explore the Express Entry system and pathways available through provincial nominations.
In fact, many of the medium-range brackets have seen declines. The brackets between 421 and 460 have seen a decline of more than 1,300 applicants. This drop highlights the drop in the recent draws, where French-language ability and trade occupations were favored.
The French language draw held on April 29 offered 4,000 invites to candidates with a CRS score of 400, while the PNP draw conducted on April 27 offered 473 invitations with a minimum CRS score of 795. However, since these draws took place after the April 26 draw, they have not yet influenced the numbers reported by the pool.
Further, there has been a decrease in CEC draw sizes, Despite the previous reductions in CRS cut-offs that occurred early this year, recent rounds have consistently stayed above 500. Smaller invitation rounds combined with stronger candidate inflows are keeping competition high for applicants targeting general and CEC-based invitations.
Despite 6,300 invitations offered between April 13 and April 15, the number of profiles in the pool increased. This suggests that about 7,000 people applied to become Canadian permanent residents in just two weeks. It shows that demand for Canadian permanent residence remained strong while heading into May.
Not sure which immigration pathway may suit your profile? Try the UmberApp PNP Finder to explore provincial nomination options.
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