Express Entry pool grows more competitive despite fewer profiles
As of October 26, the Express Entry pool contained over 2,700 fewer candidate profiles than it did on September 28.
Despite a drop in total profiles, the pool has continued to grow more competitive as the number of higher-scoring candidates increased once again—most notably by 1,466 in the 501 to 600 range.
From September 28 to October 26, the number of profiles in the 601 to 1,200 range increased by 18.
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This article will examine
The current distribution of the Express Entry pool;
How scores of candidates currently rank against each other; and
The Express Entry draws held in October.
What is the current distribution of scores in the Express Entry pool?
The following table illustrates the current distribution of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores in the Express Entry pool as of October 26, 2025, as well as changes across each score bracket compared to September 28.
CRS score rangeNumber of candidatesChange in number of profiles
0–3008,027−54
301–35019,410−553
351–40052,468−598
401–41013,869+207
411–42014,820−19
421–43014,998+178
431–44014,766−1,588
441–45014,089−717
451-46014,841−83
461–47015,792+11
471–48014,727−423
481–49012,092−381
491–50012,051−204
501–60025,997+1,466
601–1,200306+18
Total248,253−2,740
Almost all score bands saw a decrease in profiles, except the following:
401–410.
421–430.
461–470.
501–600.
601–1,200.
Altogether, the Express Entry pool decreased by 2,740 profiles since September 28, with the most pronounced decline seen among candidates with a CRS score falling between 431 to 450.
The greatest increase in profiles was across the 501 to 1,200 score range, totalling 1,484 additional profiles in this range since September 28.
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How do the scores in the Express Entry pool rank against each other?
The table presented below shows the distribution of CRS scores in the Express Entry pool as of October 26, 2025.
It includes the percentile range for each CRS score band and the percentage of candidates within each band in relation to the overall pool makeup.
Through this table, Express Entry candidates can gauge where their CRS scores stand relative to other profiles and evaluate their overall competitiveness in the pool.
CRS score rangeNumber of candidatesPercentagePercentile range
0–3008,0273.23%0.00% – 3.23%
301–35019,4107.82%3.23% – 11.05%
351–40052,46821.13%11.05% – 32.19%
401–41013,8695.59%32.19% – 37.77%
411–42014,8205.97%37.77% – 43.74%
421–43014,9986.04%43.74% – 49.78%
431–44014,7665.95%49.78% – 55.73%
441–45014,0895.68%55.73% – 61.41%
451-46014,8415.98%61.41% – 67.39%
461–47015,7926.36%67.39% – 73.75%
471–48014,7275.93%73.75% – 79.68%
481–49012,0924.87%79.68% – 84.55%
491–50012,0514.85%84.55% – 89.40%
501–60025,99710.47%89.40% – 99.88%
601–1,2003060.12%99.88% – 100.00%
Methodology: The percentile scores featured in the table above were calculated based on the highest CRS score within each range. These percentiles represent what percentage of candidates have a CRS score that is at or below the upper threshold of each score range.
Percentiles are shown as ranges to enhance understanding, indicating that the candidates within each score band fall somewhere between the two percentile values listed.
What draws took place in October?
In October, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 9,647 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across four different draw types.
The immigration department held two category-based draws, both of which aligned with the Express Entry priorities announced by the immigration department earlier this year—making up 7,000 of October’s ITA issuances.
Draw dateDraw typeITAs issuedCRS cut-off score
October 1, 2025Canadian Experience Class1,000534
October 6, 2025French-language proficiency4,500432
October 14, 2025Provincial Nominee Program345778
October 15, 2025Healthcare and social services2,500472
October 27, 2025Provincial Nominee Program302761
October 28, 2025Canadian Experience Class1,000533
Between October 1 and October 28, Canada’s IRCC held
The 10th and 11th CEC draw of the year;
The sixth French-language proficiency draw of the year;
The 18th and 19th PNP draw of the year; and
The fifth healthcare and social services draw of the year.
IRCC’s healthcare and social services draw held on October 15 marked the first time this category has been targeted since August 19, 2025.
Relative to September, the immigration department has held one fewer draw and issued 371 fewer ITAs to Express Entry candidates in October, as of the time of writing.
Barring September, October saw the highest number of ITA issuances since March, during which IRCC issued 13,261 ITAs.
MonthTotal number of ITAs issued
March 202513,261
April 20251,246
May 20252,511
June 20257,405
July 2025 7,558
August 20256,417
September 202510,018
October 20259,647
