Back to high-CRS selection?
What RBC's Express Entry proposal actually says
On September 1, RBC — Canada's largest bank — published "A Smarter Immigration Strategy," a report urging the federal government to scale back Express Entry category-based draws and return to selecting the highest-CRS candidates. It has generated real buzz in the immigration community. Here is what the report proposes — and, more importantly, what has and has not actually changed.
What RBC proposes — six key changes
Under the theme of returning Express Entry to its original design, the report recommends:
| Proposal | Details |
|---|---|
| ① Restore highest-score selection | Invite the highest-ranking CRS candidates regardless of occupation — Express Entry's original points-based design |
| ② Rein in federal category draws | Refrain from adding sub-categories to Express Entry for short-term aims — potentially going as far as reversing the 2022 legislation that enabled category-based draws (which would require an act of Parliament) |
| ③ A minimum share for points-based selection | Guarantee a minimum proportion of economic immigration admitted through federal points-based selection. In 2000, about 80% of economic immigrants came through it; recently, roughly 30% |
| ④ Bring back a core-score floor | Reintroduce a minimum cut-off based on core CRS factors — excluding boosts such as the 600-point provincial nomination bonus |
| ⑤ Move categories to the provinces | Situate occupation-targeted selection with provincial programs (PNPs), closer to regional labour markets. The report notes PNPs helped raise the share of economic immigrants settling outside Ontario, Quebec and B.C. from 11% (1998) to 37% (2024) |
| ⑥ Regular CRS recalibration | Commit to regular reviews of the scoring formula so it reflects changing labour dynamics — including AI-driven shifts in the value of skills |
Why now — the score gap is real
The report's central evidence is the gap between selection routes. RBC notes that Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates need, on average, over 100 more CRS points than candidates invited through category-based draws. IRCC's own published draw data bears this out:
| June–September 2026 rounds (official IRCC data) | CRS cut-off |
|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class | 516–523 (most recent, Sept 1: 521) |
| French-language proficiency category | 382–420 (Aug 19 round: 382) |
| Physicians category | 198–223 (Sept 3 round: 198) |
Earnings data is the other pillar. Citing IRCC figures, the report notes CEC immigrants reach a median income of $92,100 ten years after admission — well above the broader economic-immigrant group ($67,400) and the Canadian average ($47,600). Express Entry immigrants selected on points also show median earnings roughly 30% higher three years after arrival than other economic streams.
Could this actually happen?
Each proposal has a different path to reality. How categories are run can change through Ministerial Instructions; reversing the 2022 legislation would require Parliament. As of today, neither has been announced.
The context worth watching: IRCC ran its own official consultations on Express Entry reform this spring — including merging the three federal programs (CEC, FSW, FST) into a single "Federal High Skilled" program and overhauling the CRS formula. In other words, the government was already re-examining how it selects candidates when RBC's report landed. The 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan is expected this fall (per reporting), so the coming months are the window to watch.
What it means for you
If you're a high-CRS CEC candidate — the proposal, if adopted, would work in your favour. For now, though, the reality is unchanged: CEC cut-offs sit at 516–523. Reviewing every score lever you have (language retesting, credential assessment, work-experience timing) makes sense under any scenario.
If you qualify for a category draw (French, healthcare and others) — category-based selection is fully in effect today, and its lower cut-offs remain a genuine advantage. No one can guarantee how long the current system lasts, so if you qualify, it is reasonable to get your profile in order while the current rules apply — without panic, and without indefinite delay.
If you're considering a PNP — note that RBC's direction is a bigger role for provincial programs. Occupation- and region-based selection like the BC PNP is likely to matter more under any scenario. See our permanent residence services for how we approach EE and PNP strategy together.
RBC — A Smarter Immigration Strategy (Sept 1, 2026, full report)
IRCC — Category-based selection (the 10 current categories)
IRCC — Express Entry rounds of invitations (official cut-off data)
IRCC — 2026 consultations on Express Entry reforms
Related coverage: Immigration News Canada (Sept 2026)
This article is general information based on sources public as of the publication date and is not legal advice for any specific case. The RBC report discussed here is a private-sector policy recommendation; whether and when any of it is implemented has not been determined. Always confirm against official IRCC announcements before making decisions.