Last Updated On 4 February 2026, 11:10 AM EST (Toronto Time)
The Express Entry pool has grown to 238,920 candidates as of February 2, 2026, showcasing a significant group of skilled workers vying for Canadian permanent residence.
This large pool highlights the enduring popularity of Canada as an immigration destination and the fierce competition among individuals seeking an Invitation to Apply.
For candidates tracking their status in the Express Entry system, understanding the current pool composition is crucial for strategic planning.
The distribution of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores across various bands determines the competitiveness of a candidate’s profile for future draws and guides potential improvements for a successful immigration process.
This detailed analysis delves into the current pool composition, score ranges, changes since January 2026, and implications for immigration strategies in the upcoming months.
Current Express Entry Pool Numbers: February 2026
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada regularly updates pool statistics prior to each Express Entry draw.
The latest data following the February 2, 2026 draw provides insights into the competitive landscape within the system.
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- 601-1200 (PNP nominees): 423 candidates (invited on February 2)
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- 501-600: 14,911 candidates
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- 491-500: 13,586 candidates
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- 481-490: 13,417 candidates
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- 471-480: 16,617 candidates
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- 461-470: 15,791 candidates
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- 451-460: 15,400 candidates
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- 451-500 Subtotal: 74,811 candidates
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- 441-450: 14,700 candidates
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- 431-440: 14,923 candidates
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- 421-430: 13,267 candidates
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- 411-420: 13,197 candidates
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- 401-410: 12,175 candidates
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- 401-450 Subtotal: 68,262 candidates
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- 351-400: 53,276 candidates
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- 301-350: 18,949 candidates
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- 0-300: 8,288 candidates
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- TOTAL POOL: 238,920 candidates
The numbers alone provide a glimpse into the pool’s dynamics, emphasizing the importance of understanding the strategic implications for immigration decisions.
The Critical 501-600 Band: 14,911 Candidates
The 501-600 CRS score range holds strategic significance within the Express Entry pool due to its proximity to recent Canadian Experience Class cutoffs.
With scores ranging from 509 to 511 in January 2026 draws, these candidates are key competitors for CEC invitations and stand a high chance of receiving ITAs in specialized draws.
The current count of 14,911 candidates in this band marks a notable decrease from January, reflecting the impact of extensive CEC draws issuing 14,000 invitations.
Despite reductions, the pool replenishes with new high-scoring entrants and profile enhancements by existing candidates.
The 451-500 Bottleneck: 74,811 Candidates
With nearly 75,000 candidates in the 451-500 CRS score range, this segment is densely populated within the pool
Candidates in this range face a dilemma as their scores, while competitive historically, fall marginally below recent CEC cutoffs.
For IRCC to invite applicants in this range through CEC draws, significant draw size increments or more frequent draws are necessary.
Clearing candidates above 500, including 14,911 in the 501-600 range, poses a challenge for issuing invitations to individuals with scores of 490.
Distribution within this range shows a relatively even spread among subcategories.
