The Express Entry pool decreased by 732 profiles between October 12 and October 25, according to the latest data released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on October 26.

The largest declines occurred among candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores between 431 and 470 and those scoring between 501 and 600. However, the number of candidates in the 301 – 430 score range increased by 1,754 during the same period.

The latest figures provide an updated picture of competition among candidates seeking Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry.

The following table compares the distribution of candidates by CRS score range on October 25 with the previous figures from October 12.

CRS Score Range Oct. 25 Oct. 12 Difference
0 – 300 7,627 7,639 −12
301 – 350 17,247 17,123 +124
351 – 400 47,911 47,167 +744
401 – 410 11,880 11,637 +243
411 – 420 12,543 12,201 +342
421 – 430 12,768 12,467 +301
431 – 440 13,155 13,474 −319
441 – 450 13,159 13,749 −590
451 – 460 14,475 14,851 −376
461 – 470 15,803 16,221 −418
471 – 480 16,330 16,220 +110
481 – 490 12,342 12,184 +158
491 – 500 12,162 12,136 +26
501 – 600 20,535 21,638 −1,103
601 – 1,200 787 749 +38
Total 228,724 229,456 −732

The data also shows how candidates are distributed across different CRS score ranges and how their positions compare with the rest of the pool.

How Competitive Is The Express Entry Pool?

The table below presents the number of candidates in each score range, their cumulative totals, and their percentile rankings based on the latest available pool data as of October 25.

A percentile indicates the proportion of candidates whose CRS scores fall at or below a particular threshold. The percentile rankings are shown as ranges because candidates within the same score bracket can have different standings.

CRS Score Range Number Of Candidates Cumulative Percentile Range Percentage
0 – 300 7,627 7,627 0.00%–3.33% 3.33%
301 – 350 17,247 24,874 3.33%–10.88% 7.54%
351 – 400 47,911 72,785 10.88%–31.82% 20.95%
401 – 410 11,880 84,665 31.82%–37.02% 5.19%
411 – 420 12,543 97,208 37.02%–42.50% 5.48%
421 – 430 12,768 109,976 42.50%–48.08% 5.58%
431 – 440 13,155 123,131 48.08%–53.83% 5.75%
441 – 450 13,159 136,290 53.83%–59.59% 5.75%
451 – 460 14,475 150,765 59.59%–65.92% 6.33%
461 – 470 15,803 166,568 65.92%–72.82% 6.91%
471 – 480 16,330 182,898 72.82%–79.96% 7.14%
481 – 490 12,342 195,240 79.96%–85.36% 5.40%
491 – 500 12,162 207,402 85.36%–90.68% 5.32%
501 – 600 20,535 227,937 90.68%–99.66% 8.98%
601 – 1,200 787 228,724 99.66%–100.00% 0.34%

Which Draws Are Missing From The Latest Data?

The October 25 snapshot does not include two Express Entry draws held after that date. Together, these rounds issued 5,792 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.

Date Of Draw Round Type Invitations Issued CRS Score Of Lowest-Ranked Candidate
Oct. 26 Provincial Nominee Program 792 761
Oct. 27 French-Language proficiency 5,000 407

The October 26 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw issued the highest number of invitations in this category since June 2026.

Following these two rounds, IRCC’s total number of Express Entry invitations issued in 2026 reached 149,259. French-language proficiency draws accounted for approximately 40.2% of the year’s invitations, making them the largest contributor to the total.

What Caused The Changes In Candidate Numbers?

During the October 12 – 25 period, IRCC held three Express Entry draws and issued a combined 8,252 invitations.

Date Of Draw Round Type Invitations Issued CRS Score Of Lowest-Ranked Candidate
Oct. 13 Provincial Nominee Program 752 772
Oct. 15 Canadian Experience Class 2,500 519
Oct. 16 French-Language proficiency 5,000 435

The October 16 French-language proficiency draw recorded its highest CRS cutoff since September 2025. Similarly, the October 13 PNP draw had its highest cutoff since May 2025.

These draws affected the number of candidates remaining in different score ranges. However, the pool also changed as new candidates entered and existing candidates updated or withdrew their profiles.

Upcoming Changes To Express Entry

Starting November 3, 2026, Express Entry candidates will be able to receive additional CRS points for Canadian work experience or qualifying job offers in high-wage occupations.

IRCC has identified 186 eligible occupations across three wage levels. An occupation qualifies as high-wage when its national median wage meets the required threshold of at least 1.3 times the average median wage of the Canadian workforce. The other levels are 1.5 times and twice that average.

The new Labour Market Integration Factor (LMIF) will give candidates the higher of two possible scores: up to 100 points for a qualifying job offer or up to 150 points for Canadian work experience. Candidates with an accompanying spouse or common-law partner can receive up to 140 points for Canadian work experience.

Work experience points will include existing points based on the length of employment, along with up to 70 additional points for candidates with at least one year of experience in a qualifying high-wage occupation.

Qualifying job offers will provide 50, 70 or 100 points, depending on the occupation’s wage level. This change will restore CRS points for qualifying job offers, which were removed in March 2025.

Candidates will also no longer need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for a qualifying job offer to receive CRS points.

Under a temporary public policy, candidates invited to apply on or after November 3 will also be exempt from LMIA requirements for qualifying job offers used to meet eligibility criteria under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

IRCC will temporarily pause Express Entry invitation rounds while it recalculates candidates’ scores under the revised system. The department has indicated that this process could take up to two weeks.

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