October 2025 Express Entry Pool Update: Score Shifts and Draw Trends
- The Express Entry pool saw a net drop of more than 3,100 profiles between August 17 and September 28, 2025.
- High-scoring candidates (CRS 501–600) surged by over 1,600 profiles, making competition stiffer.
- 10,018 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued in September — the third-highest monthly total in 2025.
- Category-based draws targeted skilled trades, education, and French proficiency.
- The biggest profile decrease was seen in the 451–480 CRS range.
- Understanding your percentile ranking is key to gauging your competitiveness in the pool.
As we head into the final stretch of 2025, the Express Entry system remains as dynamic as ever. If you’re eyeing Canadian permanent residence through this pathway, staying on top of score distributions, draw trends, and where your profile fits in is absolutely crucial. In this post, we’ll break down the latest changes in the Express Entry pool, how competitive scores are stacking up, and what draws took place in September.
Express Entry Pool Shrinks, But High Scores Rise
Between August 17 and September 28, 2025, the total number of Express Entry profiles dropped by 3,120 — from just over 254,000 to 250,993 candidates. However, this decline wasn’t evenly spread across the board. Interestingly, the number of candidates scoring in the 501–600 range jumped by 1,601, and those in the ultra-competitive 601–1,200 band increased by 100.
This means fewer people are in the pool overall, but more of them are top-tier candidates. So, if your score sits in the mid-range, you might find it a bit more challenging to stand out right now.
Detailed Score Distribution (as of September 28, 2025)
Here’s a quick look at how the numbers shifted across various CRS score bands:
- Scores between 451–480: This range saw the steepest drop, with over 4,300 fewer profiles.
- Scores between 401–440: Modest increases were recorded, especially in the 411–420 and 431–440 ranges.
- Scores over 500: A significant surge, indicating a more competitive environment.
If you’re wondering how your own profile stacks up, it’s a good time to review your score and see where you can improve — whether it’s boosting language test results, gaining additional work experience, or exploring Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) options.
How Competitive Is Your CRS Score?
To help make sense of your standing, let’s look at how the percentages break down. The table below shows the percentage of candidates in each CRS band, along with their percentile range across the entire pool.
| CRS Score Range | Number of Candidates | Percentage | Percentile Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–300 | 8,081 | 3.22% | 0.00% – 3.22% |
| 301–350 | 19,963 | 7.95% | 3.22% – 11.17% |
| 351–400 | 53,066 | 21.14% | 11.17% – 32.32% |
| 401–410 | 13,662 | 5.44% | 32.32% – 37.76% |
| 411–420 | 14,839 | 5.91% | 37.76% – 43.67% |
| 421–430 | 14,820 | 5.90% | 43.67% – 49.58% |
| 431–440 | 16,354 | 6.52% | 49.58% – 56.09% |
| 441–450 | 14,806 | 5.90% | 56.09% – 61.99% |
| 451–460 | 14,924 | 5.95% | 61.99% – 67.94% |
| 461–470 | 15,781 | 6.29% | 67.94% – 74.22% |
| 471–480 | 15,150 | 6.04% | 74.22% – 80.26% |
| 481–490 | 12,473 | 4.97% | 80.26% – 85.23% |
| 491–500 | 12,255 | 4.88% | 85.23% – 90.11% |
| 501–600 | 24,531 | 9.77% | 90.11% – 99.89% |
| 601–1,200 | 288 | 0.11% | 99.89% – 100.00% |
So, what does this mean for you? Well, if your CRS score is in the 470s, you’re in the top 25%. If you’re above 500, you’re in the top 10% of the pool — a strong position to be in, especially during competitive draw periods.
September’s Express Entry Draws: A Busy Month for IRCC
September was a bustling month for Express Entry draws, with a total of 10,018 ITAs issued across a variety of categories. That’s a jump of 3,601 invitations compared to August — and the third-highest monthly total in 2025.
Draw Breakdown for September 2025
| Draw Date | Draw Type | ITAs Issued | CRS Cut-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 249 | 772 |
| Sept 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| Sept 4 | French Proficiency | 4,500 | 446 |
| Sept 15 | Provincial Nominee Program | 228 | 746 |
| Sept 17 | Education | 2,500 | 462 |
| Sept 18 | Trades | 1,250 | 505 |
| Sept 29 | Provincial Nominee Program | 291 | 855 |
The large number of invitations issued in category-based draws — especially for French speakers, trades workers, and those with education credentials — highlights IRCC’s current focus on filling key labour gaps across Canada. If you fall into one of these targeted categories, you could be next in line for an ITA.
How September Compares to Earlier Months
Here’s how September’s invitation numbers stack up against the rest of the year so far:
| Month | Total ITAs Issued |
|---|---|
| January | 5,821 |
| February | 11,601 |