Pool data as of October 25, 2026, published by IRCC on October 26, 2026. There were 228,724 candidates in the Express Entry pool on October 25, 2026, according to the score distribution Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published with the October 26 invitation round. The largest group, 71,112 people, scored between 451 and 500 on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Only 21,322 candidates, about 1 in 11, scored above 500.
This page breaks down where candidates sit, how recent cut-off scores compare with the pool, and how the pool has changed over the past year. It matters more than usual right now: from November 3, 2026, IRCC will rescore every profile under the new high-wage rules, so the next distribution will look different.
How many candidates are in the Express Entry pool by CRS score?
IRCC publishes the number of candidates in each CRS range alongside each round of invitations on its Express Entry rounds page. These are the figures as of October 25, 2026.
| CRS score range | Candidates | Share of pool |
|---|
| 601 to 1,200 | 787 | 0.3% |
| 501 to 600 | 20,535 | 9.0% |
| 451 to 500 | 71,112 | 31.1% |
| 401 to 450 | 63,505 | 27.8% |
| 351 to 400 | 47,911 | 20.9% |
| 301 to 350 | 17,247 | 7.5% |
| 0 to 300 | 7,627 | 3.3% |
| Total | 228,724 | 100% |
The 601 to 1,200 group is small because a provincial nomination adds 600 points, and most people above 600 are nominees waiting for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) round. On October 26, 2026, IRCC invited 792 PNP candidates with a cut-off of 761.
IRCC also splits the busiest ranges into 10-point bands:
| CRS band | Candidates | CRS band | Candidates |
|---|
| 491 to 500 | 12,162 | 441 to 450 | 13,159 |
| 481 to 490 | 12,342 | 431 to 440 | 13,155 |
| 471 to 480 | 16,330 | 421 to 430 | 12,768 |
| 461 to 470 | 15,803 | 411 to 420 | 12,543 |
| 451 to 460 | 14,475 | 401 to 410 | 11,880 |
The 471 to 480 band is the most crowded of these 10-point bands, with 16,330 candidates.
Where does your CRS score rank in the pool?
Adding up the bands from the top shows how many candidates score at or above a given number. We calculated this from IRCC's October 25 figures.
| Score at or above | Candidates | Share of pool |
|---|
| 501 | 21,322 | 9.3% |
| 491 | 33,484 | 14.6% |
| 481 | 45,826 | 20.0% |
| 471 | 62,156 | 27.2% |
| 461 | 77,959 | 34.1% |
| 451 | 92,434 | 40.4% |
| 441 | 105,593 | 46.2% |
| 431 | 118,748 | 51.9% |
| 421 | 131,516 | 57.5% |
| 411 | 144,059 | 63.0% |
| 401 | 155,939 | 68.2% |
| 351 | 203,850 | 89.1% |
For example, a candidate with 480 points is outscored by about 1 in 5 people in the pool, and a candidate with 430 points by just over half. IRCC only publishes ranges, so a score inside a band can only be placed within that band.
Rank alone does not decide who gets an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Most rounds are now limited to one program or category, so what counts is your rank among the people eligible for that round. To see what your number means for your situation, read our CRS score guide.
How do recent cut-off scores compare with the pool?
The table below places recent cut-offs against the October 25 distribution. Every round listed comes from IRCC's rounds page.
| Round | Date | Invitations | Cut-off | Candidates scoring in that range or higher |
|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program | Oct 26, 2026 | 792 | 761 | 787 score 601 or more (Oct 25) |
| French-language proficiency | Oct 16, 2026 | 5,000 | 435 | 118,748 score 431 or more |
| Canadian Experience Class | Oct 15, 2026 | 2,500 | 519 | 21,322 score 501 or more |
| Trades occupations | Oct 1, 2026 | 3,500 | 476 | 62,156 score 471 or more |
| Senior managers with Canadian work experience | Sept 16, 2026 | 250 | 389 | 203,850 score 351 or more |
| Healthcare and social services | Sept 4, 2026 | 3,500 | 475 | 62,156 score 471 or more (same band as trades) |
Two patterns stand out:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) rounds draw from the top 9% of the pool. Since August 2026, CEC cut-offs have stayed between 516 and 523, and only 21,322 candidates score above 500. Only those who also meet CEC requirements can be invited.
- Category rounds reach deep into the pool. The French-language round on October 16 invited people at 435, in the 431 to 440 band, and 51.9% of the pool scores in that band or higher. Candidates needed French test results of at least 7 in all 4 abilities on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) scale, as set out in IRCC's category-based selection rules. For many candidates, qualifying for a category matters more than gaining another 20 points.
Our Express Entry draws tracker lists every round and cut-off.
How has the pool changed over the past year?
The pool is smaller than a year ago, and the middle of the pool has thinned the most. This comparison uses IRCC's distribution for October 26, 2025 and October 25, 2026.
| CRS score range | Oct 26, 2025 | Oct 25, 2026 | Change |
|---|
| 601 to 1,200 | 306 | 787 | +481 |
| 501 to 600 | 25,997 | 20,535 | -5,462 (-21.0%) |
| 451 to 500 | 69,503 | 71,112 | +1,609 (+2.3%) |
| 401 to 450 | 72,542 | 63,505 | -9,037 (-12.5%) |
| 351 to 400 | 52,468 | 47,911 | -4,557 (-8.7%) |
| 301 to 350 | 19,410 | 17,247 | -2,163 (-11.1%) |
| 0 to 300 | 8,027 | 7,627 | -400 (-5.0%) |
| Total | 248,253 | 228,724 | -19,529 (-7.9%) |
The year-over-year drop in the 501 to 600 group hides a recent rise. That group fell to 11,648 on March 29, 2026, its lowest point of the past year, and has grown by 76% since then to 20,535. Over the same period, CEC rounds invited between 1,000 and 4,000 candidates at a time, so the number of high scorers waiting for an invitation has been building up again.
What will change in the pool after November 3, 2026?
From November 3, 2026, Express Entry gives extra points for Canadian work experience or a job offer in a high-wage occupation. IRCC says on its changes page that the system will recalculate points in existing profiles, "which could take up to two weeks," and that invitation rounds will pause during that time.
The new points move people up the table. One year of Canadian experience in a high-wage occupation adds 20, 40 or 70 points, and a qualifying job offer adds 50, 70 or 100, with the higher of the two counting. A CEC candidate at 480 with a year of Canadian experience as a software developer (NOC 21232, on the 1.5 times median wage level) would gain 40 points and move to 520, which is within the range of recent CEC cut-offs. Our high-wage occupations list shows the level for each of the 186 NOC codes, and our explainer on the new points covers the rules.
The first distribution IRCC publishes after rescoring will show how many candidates moved above 500. We will update this page after each round.
What should candidates do with these numbers?
- Check your exact score with our CRS calculator, then find your band in the tables above.
- Check your category eligibility. French ability, a healthcare or trades occupation, or Canadian work experience can matter more than a few extra points.
- Check your NOC code against the high-wage list before November 3, and update any job offer details in your profile.
- Look for points you can still add. Our guide to improving your CRS score covers language retests, education and spousal factors.
If your score sits in the crowded 451 to 500 range and you are not sure which round you could realistically be invited in, start with our free assessment, or book a consultation with our licensed consultant to review your profile before the November 3 rescoring.
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Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Each case is unique and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before making immigration decisions.
