August 2025: Express Entry candidates face stiffer competition
Express Entry candidates with CRS scores in the 501-600 range now face more competition, according to the most recent data.
From July 20 to August 5, the number of profiles scoring in the 501-600 range increased by 2,817, even as the overall pool decreased slightly by 329 candidate profiles.
Most of the decrease in profiles came from the 470 to 500 score range, which saw a cumulative decrease of 2,548 profiles.
See how competitive your Express Entry profile is
This article will cover
- The current composition of the Express Entry pool;
- How your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score ranks against other candidates in the Express Entry pool; and
- The draws that took place and the number of invitations to apply (ITAs) issued in July.
What is the current composition of the Express Entry pool?
The current distribution of scores within the Express Entry pool is presented below, as of August 5, 2025:
| CRS score range | Number of candidates |
|---|---|
| 0–300 | 8,225 |
| 301–350 | 20,534 |
| 351–400 | 53,590 |
| 401–410 | 13,388 |
| 411–420 | 14,456 |
| 421–430 | 14,652 |
| 431–440 | 16,142 |
| 441–450 | 15,201 |
| 451-460 | 15,920 |
| 461–470 | 17,383 |
| 471–480 | 16,836 |
| 481–490 | 12,890 |
| 491–500 | 12,975 |
| 501–600 | 24,165 |
| 601–1200 | 228 |
| Total | 256,585 |
See how competitive your Express Entry profile is
The following table displays the change in the number of candidate profiles in each score range, between 20 July and 5 August, 2025:
| CRS Score Range | Change in number of candidate profiles |
|---|---|
| 0–300 | -106 |
| 301–350 | -588 |
| 351–400 | -575 |
| 401–410 | 73 |
| 411–420 | -44 |
| 421–430 | 189 |
| 431–440 | 135 |
| 441–450 | 77 |
| 451-460 | 227 |
| 461–470 | -14 |
| 471–480 | -905 |
| 481–490 | -1,051 |
| 491–500 | -592 |
| 501–600 | 2,817 |
| 601–1200 | 28 |
How does your CRS score rank in the current Express Entry pool?
The table below presents the distribution of CRS scores in the Express Entry pool as of 5 August 2025.
It shows the percentile range for each score bracket and the percentage of candidates in each bracket relative to the entire pool.
This information can help candidates assess how their CRS score compares to others in the pool and gauge their competitiveness.
| CRS score range | Number of candidates | Percentage | Percentile range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–300 | 8,225 | 3.21% | 0.00% – 3.21% |
| 301–350 | 20,534 | 8.00% | 3.21% – 11.21% |
| 351–400 | 53,590 | 20.89% | 11.21% – 32.09% |
| 401–410 | 13,388 | 5.22% | 32.09% – 37.31% |
| 411–420 | 14,456 | 5.63% | 37.31% – 42.95% |
| 421–430 | 14,652 | 5.71% | 42.95% – 48.66% |
| 431–440 | 16,142 | 6.29% | 48.66% – 54.95% |
| 441–450 | 15,201 | 5.92% | 54.95% – 60.87% |
| 451–460 | 15,920 | 6.20% | 60.87% – 67.08% |
| 461–470 | 17,383 | 6.77% | 67.08% – 73.85% |
| 471–480 | 16,836 | 6.56% | 73.85% – 80.41% |
| 481–490 | 12,890 | 5.02% | 80.41% – 85.44% |
| 491–500 | 12,975 | 5.06% | 85.44% – 90.49% |
| 501–600 | 24,165 | 9.42% | 90.49% – 99.91% |
| 601–1200 | 228 | 0.09% | 99.91% – 100.00% |
See how competitive your Express Entry profile is
Methodology: The percentile values in the table above represent the percentage of candidates with CRS scores at or below the upper limit of each score range.
For clarity, these percentiles are displayed as ranges, showing that candidates in a given CRS score band fall between the two percentile values provided.
Which draws took place in July?
In July, Express Entry draws included:
- The 12th and 13th Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) targeted draws of the year;
- The seventh Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw of the year; and
- The third Healthcare and social services category-based draw of the year.
These draws are summarized below:
| Date | Round Type | Invitations Issued | CRS Cut-off Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 22, 2025 | Healthcare and social services occupations | 4,000 | 475 |
| July 21, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 202 | 788 |
| July 8, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 518 |
| July 7, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 356 | 750 |
IRCC issued 7,558 ITAs in July—153 more ITAs as compared to June. July’s ITA count was higher than ITA issuances in the three months preceding:
| Month | Total ITAs Issued |
|---|---|
| April 2025 | 1,246 |
| May 2025 | 2,511 |
| June 2025 | 7,405 |
| July 2025 | 7,558 |
This number was bolstered by large draws through the CEC program, and the largest ever Healthcare and social services draw. ITAs issued in July exceeded those in June despite the department having held two fewer draws through the Express Entry system in the former month.
Cut-off scores also dropped for CEC and Healthcare candidates, with July’s draws featuring the lowest CRS cut-offs for either draw type seen thus far in 2025.
IRCC has held a Healthcare and social services draw in each of the last three months. Healthcare and social services is among IRCC’s priority categories for 2025, as announced by the department via a press release in February of this year.
Thus far in 2025, IRCC has issued 49,628 ITAs through the Express Entry system.
- Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
- Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
