The Express Entry system is one of the main ways Canada invites skilled workers to apply for permanent residence. Every month, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) holds “draws” to select candidates based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Let’s take a closer look at what happened in August 2025 and how the Express Entry pool looks right now.
What changed in the Express Entry pool this month?
Between August 5 and August 17, the total number of people in the pool went down by 2,472 candidates. The biggest drop happened in the 481–600 score range, where over 2,300 candidates left the pool.
This usually happens because IRCC holds draws that invite people in those higher score ranges, and once they are invited, their profiles are removed from the pool.
Highlights from August draws
In August, IRCC invited 6,417 candidates across five different draws. These draws covered multiple categories: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), French-language proficiency, and Healthcare and Social Services.
Here’s a breakdown of August draws:
| Draw date | Draw type | ITAs issued | CRS cut-off score |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 6, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 225 | 739 |
| August 7, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| August 8, 2025 | French-language proficiency | 2,500 | 481 |
| August 18, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 192 | 800 |
| August 19, 2025 | Healthcare and social services | 2,500 | 470 |
So far in 2025, this was:
- The 14th and 15th PNP draws
- The 8th CEC draw
- The 4th French draw
- The 4th healthcare and social services draw
Was August busier or quieter than other months?
Compared to July, 1,141 fewer invitations were sent in August. This makes August the fourth lowest month of the year in terms of invitations, after April, May, and January.
Here’s the total number of invitations by month so far this year:
| Month | Total number of ITAs issued |
|---|---|
| January 2025 | 5,821 |
| February 2025 | 11,601 |
| March 2025 | 13,261 |
| April 2025 | 1,246 |
| May 2025 | 2,511 |
| June 2025 | 7,405 |
| July 2025 | 7,558 |
| August 2025 | 6,417 |
From January to August 2025, IRCC has sent out 55,820 invitations. This is about 23,000 fewer invitations compared to the same period in 2024.
What does the Express Entry pool look like now?
Here’s the most recent snapshot of the Express Entry pool (as of August 17, 2025). This table shows how many people are in each score range and how that number has changed since August 5.
| CRS score range | Number of candidates | Change in number of profiles |
|---|---|---|
| 0–300 | 8,179 | -46 |
| 301–350 | 20,424 | -110 |
| 351–400 | 53,461 | -129 |
| 401–410 | 13,455 | +67 |
| 411–420 | 14,488 | +32 |
| 421–430 | 14,639 | -13 |
| 431–440 | 16,222 | +80 |
| 441–450 | 15,116 | -85 |
| 451-460 | 15,879 | -41 |
| 461–470 | 17,339 | -44 |
| 471–480 | 17,035 | +199 |
| 481–490 | 12,349 | -541 |
| 491–500 | 12,409 | -566 |
| 501–600 | 22,930 | -1,235 |
| 601–1,200 | 188 | -40 |
| Total | 254,113 | -2,472 |
How competitive is your score in the pool?
Looking at the percentages below, you can see where most people stand in the pool. For example, almost 21% of candidates are in the 351–400 range, while about 9% are in the 501–600 range (these are often people with provincial nominations).
| CRS score range | Number of candidates | Percentage | Percentile range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–300 | 8,179 | 3.22% | 0.00% – 3.22% |
| 301–350 | 20,424 | 8.04% | 3.22% – 11.26% |
| 351–400 | 53,461 | 21.04% | 11.26% – 32.29% |
| 401–410 | 13,455 | 5.29% | 32.29% – 37.59% |
| 411–420 | 14,488 | 5.70% | 37.59% – 43.29% |
| 421–430 | 14,639 | 5.76% | 43.29% – 49.05% |
| 431–440 | 16,222 | 6.38% | 49.05% – 55.44% |
| 441–450 | 15,116 | 5.95% | 55.44% – 61.38% |
| 451–460 | 15,879 | 6.25% | 61.38% – 67.63% |
| 461–470 | 17,339 | 6.82% | 67.63% – 74.46% |
| 471–480 | 17,035 | 6.70% | 74.46% – 81.16% |
| 481–490 | 12,349 | 4.86% | 81.16% – 86.02% |
| 491–500 | 12,409 | 4.88% | 86.02% – 90.90% |
| 501–600 | 22,930 | 9.02% | 90.90% – 99.93% |
| 601–1,200 | 188 | 0.07% | 99.93% – 100.00% |
This table shows you exactly how your score compares to others in the pool. For example, if your CRS score is around 480, you’re in the top 19% of the pool, which is a strong position.
1. Why did the number of candidates in the pool go down?
This usually happens because IRCC holds draws, and when candidates receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs), their profiles are removed from the pool.
2. What does a CRS score mean?
Your CRS score is a number based on things like your age, education, language skills, and work experience. The higher your score, the better your chances of being invited.
3. Why do some draws have higher scores than others?
Different draw types focus on different groups. For example, PNP draws usually require very high scores (700+), while category-based draws like healthcare or French often have lower cut-offs.
4. How do I know if my score is competitive?
By looking at the pool distribution, you can see how many people are in your score range. If you’re in the higher percentiles (for example, above 470), your chances of getting invited are stronger.
5. Why were fewer invitations issued this year compared to 2024?
Immigration targets and policies change from year to year. In 2025, IRCC has issued fewer invitations overall compared to 2024, which makes the pool more competitive.
Officially taken from CIC News
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