The Express Entry system remains the main mechanism for selecting skilled workers who seek to obtain permanent residence in Canada through the federal economic programs — Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades (FST), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
During the period from August 17 to September 28, 2025, an interesting dynamic was recorded in the Express Entry pool: the total number of profiles decreased by 3,120, but at the same time, the number of applicants with high scores under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) rose sharply.
In particular, in the range of 501–600 points, the number of profiles increased by 1,601, and in the upper category 601–1,200 points — by 100 profiles. These changes indicate growing competition among candidates and a gradual shift in the pool structure toward more qualified, linguistically prepared, and professionally relevant applicants. Candidates with lower results are gradually leaving the pool, while those who possess strong language skills, education, Canadian work experience, or provincial nominations are becoming the dominant group.
Current CRS Score Distribution in the Express Entry Pool
The data as of September 28, 2025, show changes in each CRS score category compared to August 17. The table below presents both the current number of profiles in each range and the increase or decrease during this period.
| CRS Score Range | Number of Candidates | Change in Number of Profiles |
| 0–300 | 8,081 | −98 |
| 301–350 | 19,963 | −461 |
| 351–400 | 53,066 | −395 |
| 401–410 | 13,662 | +207 |
| 411–420 | 14,839 | +351 |
| 421–430 | 14,820 | +181 |
| 431–440 | 16,354 | +132 |
| 441–450 | 14,806 | −310 |
| 451–460 | 14,924 | −955 |
| 461–470 | 15,781 | −1,558 |
| 471–480 | 15,150 | −1,885 |
| 481–490 | 12,473 | +124 |
| 491–500 | 12,255 | −154 |
| 501–600 | 24,531 | +1,601 |
| 601–1,200 | 288 | +100 |
| Total | 250,993 | −3,120 |
The total number of active profiles in the system decreased from over 254,000 to about 251,000, indicating the cleaning of the pool from inactive or outdated applications.
The largest drop was observed in the mid-range 451–480 points, where more than 3,400 profiles were lost. This may indicate that a significant part of candidates from this group received Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the August or September draws.
In contrast, the upper categories — 501–600 and 601–1,200 points — show significant growth. This is likely due to the activity of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), which add 600 additional CRS points, and the increasing quality of new applications from experienced candidates with a high level of English or French.
Relative Competitiveness of Profiles in the Express Entry System
To assess the chances of receiving an invitation, it is important to understand in which percentile a candidate is located compared to others. The following table shows the distribution of profiles by CRS ranges, the percentage share of each group, and the percentile boundaries as of September 28, 2025.
| 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% |
This structure shows that more than half of all candidates (approximately 53%) have scores below 440 CRS points.
Conversely, only about 10% of all profiles have results above 500 points, making them the most competitive.
For comparison: a candidate with a 475 CRS score is roughly in the 75th percentile, meaning they have a higher result than three-quarters of all participants. A candidate with 510 points belongs to the top one percent of the strongest profiles in Canada.
This distribution also explains why cutoff scores vary across categories: profiles within the 460–480 CRS range form the main “borderline group,” where even a few points can determine success or rejection.
September 2025 Express Entry Draws: Types, Results, and Dynamics
In September 2025, IRCC conducted an active series of draws — a total of seven rounds covering different categories and immigration streams. Altogether, 10,018 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued, which is 3,601 more than in August. This indicates an increase in the pace of invitations and a pool refresh ahead of expected changes to the 2026 quotas.
| Date of Draw | Type of Draw | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS Score |
| September 2, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 249 | 772 |
| September 3, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 1,000 | 534 |
| September 4, 2025 | French-Language Proficiency | 4,500 | 446 |
| September 15, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 228 | 746 |
| September 17, 2025 | Educational Category | 2,500 | 462 |
| September 18, 2025 | Technical Trades | 1,250 | 505 |
| September 29, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 291 | 855 |
In total, IRCC in September conducted:
- the 16th and 17th draws of the year under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) — which remain the highest by score (746–855 CRS);
- the 9th draw under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) — focused on candidates with Canadian work experience;
- the 5th draw for French-language proficiency, confirming strategic support for Francophone immigrants;
- the 2nd draw for the educational category, promoting the selection of individuals with Canadian education;
- the 1st draw for technical trades — a new initiative supporting labour-shortage occupations.
September’s activity also shows that IRCC is gradually expanding category-based draws in response to Canadian labour-market needs.
| Month 2025 | Number of ITAs Issued |
| January | 5,821 |
| February | 11,601 |
| March | 13,261 |
| April | 1,246 |
| May | 2,511 |
| June | 7,405 |
| July | 7,558 |
| August | 6,417 |
| September | 10,018 |
Thus, September became the third-highest month of the year in terms of invitations issued, second only to March and February.
This may be a sign of IRCC’s preparation for an increase in annual quotas or the implementation of an updated immigration strategy focused on targeted professional groups.
Conclusions
Current data indicate a clear intensification of competition within the Express Entry system. Despite the overall decline in the number of profiles, the growing share of candidates with scores above 500 CRS points demonstrates a higher bar for successful selection.
Main trends:
- Rising qualification levels: an increasing number of candidates hold higher education, Canadian work experience, or a provincial nomination.
- Strengthening of Francophone candidates’ role: draws based on French-language knowledge form a significant share of ITAs.
- Focus on technical and educational categories: IRCC uses category-based draws to address labour shortages in critical sectors.
- High invitation dynamics: over 10,000 ITAs in September indicate stable immigration activity.
It is evident that candidates with scores below 480 CRS should actively improve their profiles — raise language test levels, gain Canadian work experience, or obtain a provincial nomination.
At the same time, those who have over 500 points are in the best position to receive an invitation in upcoming draws, especially in categories focused on professional experience, French-language proficiency, or Canadian education.
