Candidates are ranked in the pool using a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. The highest-ranking candidates from the pool are selected and invited to apply for permanent residence.
Candidates are ranked in the pool using a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranking candidates from the pool are selected and invited to apply for permanent residence.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there was a two-year hiatus from inviting candidates in the Express Entry pool. As a result, the number of candidates applying continued to accumulate and reach a total number of 226,849 candidates.
On July 6, 2022, there was a round of invitations that took place for candidates from all Express Entry programs. The lowest-ranked candidate invited from this round of invitations had a CRS score of 557.
For this round of invitations, the tie-breaking rule was on November 13, 2021, at 02:20:46 UTC.
The tie-break rule is used to rank candidates who have the same Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. The candidates are ranked by the date and time their Express Entry profiles were added into the pool. This means that the tie-break rule prioritizes profiles that have been in the Express Entry pool for longer. Thus, to increase your chances of receiving an invitation, it is recommended that you submit your profile in the pool sooner than later.
According to the chart below, if you were a candidate in this round, you would have to be in the 601-1200 score range to secure an invitation which only had a total number of 669 candidates. Out of all 226,849 candidates, the lowest number of candidates who applied was found in the highest CRS score range of 601-1200.
The second highest CRS score range is 501-600 with a total number of 8,773 candidates.
We cannot determine exactly how many of those candidates scored above 557 in the 501-600 category. However, the Number of invitations issued was 1,500. Therefore, it is safe to assume that 1,500 were from the 601-1200 category (669 candidates) which leaves a remaining 831 candidates invited from the 501-600 category.
The top 3 categories with the highest number of candidates who applied were found in:
| CRS score range | Number of Candidates |
| 351-400 | 65,460 |
| 401-450 | 54,735 |
| 451-500 | 58,040 |
With the score being 557 for the lowest-ranked candidate invited, the majority of candidates in the score ranges above would have to increase their score by more than 100 points.
Luckily, with a change to the Express Entry system, you can now earn up to 50 additional points for strong French language skills (even if French is your second language).
