As of October 3, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reported significant changes in the Express Entry pool, marking evolving trends in the country’s immigration landscape. The total number of candidates in the pool has decreased by 3,120 since August 17, 2025, bringing the total to 250,993 profiles.

The decline primarily occurred in the 451–480 CRS score range, which saw a reduction of 1,885 profiles. Meanwhile, top-scoring candidates in the 501–600 range increased by 1,601, and those in the 601–1,200 range increased by 100. These shifts highlight a concentration of high-ranking candidates and indicate potential changes in upcoming draw cut-off scores.

Key Highlights of the October 2025 Pool

✔️ Total Candidates in Pool: 250,993 (as of September 28, 2025)
 ✔️ Change Since August 17, 2025: -3,120 profiles
 ✔️ Growth in Top Scoring Profiles: 501–600 range +1,601; 601–1,200 range +100
 ✔️ Major Decline: 451–480 range -1,885
 ✔️ Percentile Analysis: Top-scoring candidates now make up nearly 10% of the pool

Overview of the Pool

The latest data shows a clear stratification in the Express Entry pool:

  • Lower CRS ranges (0–450): Total profiles in these ranges remain sizable but are slowly decreasing, indicating that candidates with weaker profiles may need to strengthen their CRS scores or consider provincial nomination routes.

  • Mid CRS ranges (451–500): Significant decline observed, reflecting the impact of recent draws and the competitiveness among mid-range candidates.

  • High CRS ranges (501–1,200): Steady growth demonstrates that top candidates are increasingly concentrated, likely due to program-specific draws favoring skilled and experienced applicants.

Since August, the pool has shifted to a greater number of top-ranking candidates, a trend that emphasizes the importance of maintaining a competitive CRS score. IRCC’s focus on category-based selections, including trades, healthcare, and French-language proficiency, ensures that skilled candidates aligned with Canada’s labour market priorities are prioritized.

September Draws Snapshot

In September 2025, IRCC issued a total of 10,018 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across five types of draws:

  • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 249 + 228 + 291 ITAs

  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 1,000 ITAs

  • French-Language Proficiency: 4,500 ITAs

  • Education: 2,500 ITAs

  • Trades: 1,250 ITAs

This marks the third-highest number of ITAs issued in a single month in 2025, reflecting IRCC’s strategic use of program-specific draws to address labour shortages and retain top talent.

Impact on Canada’s Immigration Landscape

The October 2025 pool dynamics carry several implications:

  • Rising Competitiveness: Concentration of high CRS scores suggests that candidates must maintain or improve their profiles to secure an ITA.

  • Program-Specific Advantage: Candidates in CEC, trades, and French-language categories benefit from targeted draws aligned with labour market needs.

  • Implications for Mid-Range Candidates: Those in the 451–500 CRS range may face longer wait times and may need to explore alternative pathways like PNP nomination.

  • Retention of Skilled Talent: By focusing on higher-scoring and category-specific candidates, IRCC ensures that skilled workers already integrated into the Canadian labour market can transition to permanent residency efficiently.

The current trends underscore the importance of strategic profile management, timely updates, and alignment with Canada’s economic priorities. Prospective immigrants should closely monitor CRS score requirements and maintain readiness for upcoming draws to maximize their chances of success.