The Express Entry pool saw 2,740 fewer profiles from September to October, yet competition tightened as more candidates earned CRS scores over 500.
Canada’s Express Entry pool became smaller but tougher in October. As of October 26, the number of candidate profiles dropped by 2,740 compared to September 28. Despite the decrease, the pool saw more high-scoring candidates.
The number of candidates with scores between 501 and 600 rose by 1,466. Profiles in the top range of 601 to 1,200 also went up slightly, increasing by 18. This means the competition for permanent residency continues to rise even as fewer people stay in the pool.
Most score groups saw fewer profiles in October. However, some score bands showed small gains, especially among those with stronger applications. Increases appeared in the 401–410, 421–430, 461–470, and 501–600 score ranges.
The largest drop came from candidates scoring between 431 and 450, where 1,588 profiles disappeared. This shift shows that many mid-range applicants may have either received invitations or withdrawn from the system.
Overall, the total number of profiles stood at 248,253 by the end of October. Even though the pool shrank, higher CRS scores became more common, signalling tighter competition for upcoming draws.
New data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) revealed that about 10.5% of all candidates now hold scores between 501 and 600, making it the most crowded high-score group. Another 6.3% fall between 461 and 470, and nearly 6% rank within 451 to 460.
Only 3.2% of profiles scored under 300, while most applicants—over 21%—remain in the 351–400 range. These numbers help candidates understand how their profiles compare to others in the pool.
The percentile breakdown shows how much more competitive the Express Entry system has become. Candidates with CRS scores above 500 now rank in the top 10% of the pool.
IRCC held several draws in October, issuing 9,647 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across different categories.
Here’s a look at the draws:
October included IRCC’s 10th and 11th CEC draws, sixth French-language draw, and fifth healthcare and social services draw of the year.
Although October saw one fewer draw than September, the total ITAs still reached one of the highest monthly counts this year. Only September and March had higher totals.
IRCC continues to focus on category-based draws that match Canada’s labour needs. With more high-scoring profiles joining the pool, upcoming draws may see tougher cut-offs. Candidates aiming to qualify will likely need stronger profiles and higher CRS scores to stay competitive.
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