Canada’s Express Entry / November 12, 2025

Record 11% of Express Entry Candidates Now Score Above 500 CRS

Canada’s Express Entry pool dropped by more than 2,500 profiles in just two weeks, yet the number of top-ranked candidates grew noticeably during the same period.

Canada’s Express Entry system has seen a sharp rise in high-scoring candidates. In just over two weeks, the total number of profiles in the pool fell by 2,547. However, the share of candidates with scores above 500 grew strongly.

The biggest jump came in the 501 to 600 range, which gained 417 new profiles. The number of candidates in the 601 to 1,200 range more than doubled, climbing from 306 to 696. These are mostly provincial nominees who earn extra points through their nomination.

While the pool lost lower-scoring profiles, it added more strong contenders. The score bands between 411 and 430 saw the biggest drop, with over 3,200 profiles leaving this range.

Breakdown of the Latest Pool

As of November 9, 2025, there were 245,706 active profiles in the system. Most decreases happened in the lower and mid-score ranges. The 351 to 400 group fell by 108, while the 421 to 430 group saw a drop of over 2,100 profiles.

Only the 401 to 410 band recorded a small rise of 180 profiles. The higher ranges, especially above 470, gained new entries. The pool clearly shows a shift toward higher-scoring candidates.

The data confirms that the competition inside the pool keeps growing. More candidates are now scoring 500 points or higher, which means the minimum cut-off for future draws could stay high.

How the Scores Compare

The latest figures show that about 11% of all Express Entry candidates now hold a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score above 500. Most candidates fall between 351 and 470 points.

This means only one in ten candidates now ranks above the 500 mark. In contrast, the largest portion of applicants—more than one-fifth—remain in the 351 to 400 range.

This rising concentration of top scorers shows how tough it has become to stand out in the Express Entry pool.

Recent Draws and Invitations

Between October 11 and November 11, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 10,861 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across six draws.

The largest draw took place on October 29, when 6,000 invitations went to French-speaking candidates. This continues Canada’s effort to support Francophone immigration outside Quebec.

Other draws included the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Healthcare and Social Services, and Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The most recent PNP draw on November 10 invited 714 candidates with a cut-off of 738.

Overall, this 30-day period saw 1,092 more invitations than the previous month. The government continues to balance general and category-based draws to meet labour needs and language goals.

Rising Competition Ahead

The overall decline in lower-scoring profiles and the increase in high scores show a tightening race. With more candidates earning provincial nominations and language points, the Express Entry system is more competitive than ever.

Immigrants aiming for permanent residency may need to improve their scores through language tests, education, or work experience to keep pace with the rising averages.

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