Express Entry Pool Breakdown: And What Does That Mean For You

How many candidates are in the Express Entry pool as of November 10th?

Total candidates:  As of November 9, 2025, the total candidates in the pool is 245,706

Changes in the EE Pool – Key Takeaways

• The pool size decreased from 248,253 on October 26, 2025, to 245,706 active profiles as of November 9, 2025

• Between October 26 and November 9, the 491–500 CRS range had the larges increase in candidates: The range increased  from 69,503 to 70,175

• Want to know how competitive your CRS score is compared to the Express Entry pool? Check out our online Express Entry CRS points calculator.

Current Distribution of CRS Scores in the Express Entry Pool on October 26, 2025

What is the Express Entry Pool?

The Express Entry pool represents all candidates with an active Express Entry profile. The number of profiles in the pool changes daily as draws take place and as new applicants submit their profiles, while others leave due to expiry, receiving an invitation, or a change in eligibility.

Express Entry Pool Breakdown – November 10, 2025

Here’s a snapshot of the current candidate spread in the Express Entry pool:

Changes in the Overall Size of the Express Entry Pool in 2025

After a long stretch of a rapidly increasing pool size from March 2025 through to mid-June 2025, Canada has seen a stabilization and the start of a continuous decrease in the Express Entry pool size.

Unfortunately, that stabilization is still at a historically high level of people in the Express Entry pool.

Overall Pool Size During 2025

• In January, the pool grew from 227,763 candidates on January 8 to 232,924 on January 23—a net increase of about 5,161 candidates in just over two weeks.
• By February 5, the total had reached 234,052. This steady rise underscores sustained interest in Express Entry as a pathway to Canadian immigration.
• After a temporary dip in early March, the Express Entry pool saw a strong rebound. The total number of candidates fell to 227,822 on March 3, likely the result of significant draw activity in late February. However, by March 16, the pool had grown to 236,909 candidates—an increase of 9,087 candidates in just under two weeks, and the highest total recorded in 2025 so far.
• In April, the Express Entry pool reached 244,282 candidates. This increase followed a month-long pause in draws and a significant policy change that removed points for arranged employment (LMIA-based job offers). As a result, thousands of candidates were reclassified into lower CRS bands, particularly the 451–500 and 401–450 ranges, both of which grew substantially. Notably, the 501–600 range shrank by more than 5,700 candidates, while the 400s bands absorbed the majority of this shift.
• By May 13, the pool climbed to 250,082 candidates, up roughly 5,700 from early April.
• With 7,475 more candidates in the pool on June 11 than in mid-May, data in early June showed a significant surge, particularly at the 501-600 and 451-500 ranges, which each added over 2,500 earlier in the month.
• The pool data on June 22 showed the first signs of relief in the 501-600 range and the first decrease in pool size since March.
• In July, the overall pool nudged upwards from 256,224 on July 6 to 256,914 on July 20 (+690).
• By August, the pool fell to 254,113, and 501–600 slid back to 22,930, a net drop of 2,472 in total pool size from Aug 5.
• September: The pool size overall increased, the pool size again grew beyond 250k candidates. But it seems that more frequent category-based draws are helping to stabilize the overall pool size.
• In October, there was a slight decrease in profiles, but the range of scores above 501 continued to increase.
• November: We observed a decrease of 2,547 active profiles in the total pool. The largest decline occurred in the range of 450 and below, while all ranges of 460 and above showed an increase.

Number of candidates in the Express Entry Pool by Score

Here’s an overview of the candidate score ranges in the Express Entry pool, during 2025:

Profiles in the 601-1200 Range

This year, the competition is fierce. In the last month, we observed a significant increase in this range, with profiles doubling in just 15 days!

Profiles in the 501-600 Range

Month after month, the profiles focused on improving their scores have increased their chances of receiving an invitation. Based on the trend we’ve seen throughout the year, we don’t expect the minimum score per category to drop, at least for the remainder of 2025.

Profiles in 491-500 Range

If you’re currently in the pool in this range, working to improve your score and think about getting a PNP nomination could be critical if you want to receive an invitation to apply in the next round.

Will CRS Scores Finally Dip Below 500?

Forecasts suggest that unless the rate of new high-scoring entries slows, Canadian Experience Class draws at the 3,000 invitation range become consistent, or draw sizes increase, cut-offs are likely to remain above 520  or even 530 for the rest of 2025.

What’s a Good CRS Score in the 2025 Express Entry Pool?

In 2025 a relatively high score around 530+ is considered a “good score”.

How Does Your CRS Score Compare?

Determining how your CRS score compares to others in the pool is a necessary component to a successful immigration strategy.

If you have a strong CRS score in comparison to others in the pool, your chances of receiving an ITA in an upcoming Express Entry draw are high therefore you may just need to wait for the next draw.

On the other hand, you may find that your CRS is not competitive enough, forcing you to look at ways to increase your score or explore Express Entry alternatives. 

• Note that IRCC has removed points for a valid job offer, effective March 25, 2025.

Can You Get PR With Your Current Express Entry CRS? 

Whether or not you’re invited to apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry system depends on: 

• If you’re eligible for the program or category chosen by IRCC for invitations in that round. (ie. IRCC may invite Canadian Experience Class candidates, so you won’t receive an invitation if you’re only eligible for the Skilled Trades program).
• If your CRS score is above the cut-off; and
• If you meet other criteria, like the tiebreaker date if your score is equal to the score just drawn.

Once you have submitted your Express Entry profile, you will receive your CRS score. Bear in mind that this score may change due to factors like age therefore it is important to keep a note of your CRS and competitiveness. 

• To find detailed information about your chances of receiving an invitation based on your current CRS score, check out our analysis of CRS competitiveness. You’ll learn if you can get PR with a score of 300+, 400+, 500+ and find out what to do if your score isn’t competitive.

Staying informed about immigration in Canada can help you prepare for your Express Entry journey. Join today to Moving2Canada community can help. 

Resources to Help You Boost Your CRS Score