Over 11% of Express Entry Candidates Now Exceed 500 Points
Over 11% of Express Entry Candidates Now Score Above 500
Express Entry Pool Sees a Shrink in Numbers but a Rise in High Scorers
While the pool size shrank, the number of high-scoring candidates increased sharply. Profiles in the 601–1,200 CRS range, consisting mainly of PNP nominees, more than doubled from 306 to 696. Additionally, the 501–600 range increased by 417 candidates, a confirmation that more applicants now fall into the top-scoring categories.
Distribution of CRS Scores in the Express Entry Pool (as of November 9, 2025)
| CRS score range | Number of candidates | Change in number of profiles |
|---|---|---|
| 0–300 | 8,018 | −9 |
| 301–350 | 19,104 | −306 |
| 351–400 | 52,360 | −108 |
| 401–410 | 14,049 | +180 |
| 411–420 | 13,714 | −1,106 |
| 421–430 | 12,876 | −2,122 |
| 431–440 | 14,320 | −456 |
| 441–450 | 13,980 | −109 |
| 451–460 | 14,752 | −89 |
| 461–470 | 15,830 | +38 |
| 471–480 | 15,042 | +315 |
| 481–490 | 12,315 | +223 |
| 491–500 | 12,236 | +185 |
| 501–600 | 26,414 | +417 |
| 601–1,200 | 696 | +390 |
| Total | 245,706 | −2,547 |
Most of the CRS bands below 460 had decreases, with some small increases only in the middle range categories, such as 401–410. The 411–430 range saw the largest drop of 3,228 candidates.
CRS Distribution Percentiles: Where Does Your Score Stand?
| CRS score range | Number of candidates | Percentage | Percentile range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–300 | 8,018 | 3.26% | 0.00% - 3.26% |
| 301–350 | 19,104 | 7.78% | 3.26% - 11.04% |
| 351–400 | 52,360 | 21.31% | 11.04% - 32.35% |
| 401–410 | 14,049 | 5.72% | 32.35% - 38.07% |
| 411–420 | 13,714 | 5.58% | 38.07% - 43.65% |
| 421–430 | 12,876 | 5.24% | 43.65% - 48.89% |
| 431–440 | 14,320 | 5.83% | 48.89% - 54.72% |
| 441–450 | 13,980 | 5.69% | 54.72% - 60.41% |
| 451–460 | 14,752 | 6.00% | 60.41% - 66.41% |
| 461–470 | 15,830 | 6.44% | 66.41% - 72.85% |
| 471–480 | 15,042 | 6.12% | 72.85% - 78.97% |
| 481–490 | 12,315 | 5.01% | 78.97% - 83.99% |
| 491–500 | 12,236 | 4.98% | 83.99% - 88.97% |
| 501–600 | 26,414 | 10.75% | 88.97% - 99.72% |
| 601–1,200 | 696 | 0.28% | 99.72% - 100.00% |
These percentile ranks represent how individual CRS scores rank against the pool. For instance, a candidate with a CRS score in the range of 501–600 is already within the top 11% of all applicants, while those above 600 fall into the top 0.3% and are largely PNP nominees.
Recent IRCC Draws: Strong Month for Category-Based Invitations
Over the last month, from October 11 to November 11, 2025, IRCC has issued 10,861 ITAs from six individual draws. These invitations were issued in general and category-based rounds targeting provincial nominees, health professionals, French-speaking applicants, and candidates with previous Canadian work experience under the CEC.
| Draw date | Draw type | ITAs issued | CRS cut-off score |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 14, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 345 | 778 |
| October 15, 2025 | Healthcare and social services | 2,500 | 472 |
| October 27, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 302 | 761 |
| October 28, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 533 |
| October 29, 2025 | French-language proficiency | 6,000 | 416 |
| November 10, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 714 | 738 |
Comparison Between the Previous Months’ Activities
| Draw date | Draw type | ITAs issued | CRS cut-off score |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 15, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 228 | 746 |
| September 17, 2025 | Education | 2,500 | 462 |
| September 18, 2025 | Trades | 1,250 | 505 |
| September 29, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 291 | 855 |
| October 1, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| October 6, 2025 | French-language proficiency | 4,500 | 432 |
What This Means for Express Entry Candidates
More candidates have scores over 500 due to stronger profiles, work experience, improved language scores, and a rise in provincial nominations. Those looking to enhance their chances may consider the following:
- Improving language test scores: IELTS/ CELPIP
- Seeking Canadian education or work experience
- Securing a provincial nomination for an additional 600 CRS points.
3. Closure or Suspension of Provincial Pathways
Reduced nomination room has pushed provinces to restructure their PNPs. Among the most notable changes:
- British Columbia: Terminated two major international graduate streams, postponed the implementation of replacement streams
- Saskatchewan: Close all streams oriented to entrepreneurs
- Ontario: Closed the Entrepreneur Stream and paused its Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream
- New Brunswick: Discontinued one of its international student pathways
In some provinces, new Expression of Interest submissions have also been paused due to space limitations.
A Recalibration, Not a Retraction
While the drastic reduction of temporary resident admissions has divided opinion, many experts have labeled it more of a “recalibration” than a reduction. Canada remains committed to maintaining an immigration system that is in balance with economic realities, housing availability, and labor market needs.
Full details of the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan will be made available in the Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration, due later this month.
Key Questions for the Upcoming Plan
The commitment suggests yes, but actual numbers will reveal how strictly it is enforced.
With pressure to bring the share below 5% of the population, will student and worker permit caps tighten further?
Provinces may argue for greater allocations reflecting regional labor and demographic needs.
In particular, under Express Entry or provincial nomination, emphasizing skills, region, and language.
Housing, healthcare, and labor market absorption remain critical constraints. Reports flagged risks of population decline and housing gaps under previous levels.
1. Percentage Reduction of Temporary Resident Population
Summary
Looking Ahead
