There is no fixed passing CRS score. In each round, IRCC chooses the round type and how many candidates to invite, then invites the highest-ranking eligible candidates. The published "cut-off" is simply the CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate invited — it's a result of who is in the pool and how many invitations are issued, not a threshold set in advance.
How a round works
IRCC describes four steps:
- It chooses the type of round.
- It decides the number of candidates it needs to invite.
- It identifies the highest-ranking candidates in the pool who are eligible for that round type.
- It invites them to apply for permanent residence.
Each round has Ministerial Instructions posted online at the time, covering the date and time, number of invitations, round type, and which program or category is included. If several candidates are tied at the lowest score, the tie-breaking rule uses profile submission date and time.
Why cut-offs differ by round type
| Round type | Who competes |
|---|---|
| General | Top-ranking candidates eligible for any of the 3 Express Entry programs |
| Program-specific (e.g. CEC, PNP) | Only candidates eligible for that program |
| Category-based (e.g. French, healthcare, trades) | Only candidates eligible for a category the Minister established |
Because each round ranks a different group, the same week can produce very different cut-offs. IRCC's data for late October 2026:
| Date | Round | Invitations | Minimum CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 15, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 2,500 | 519 |
| October 16, 2026 | French-language proficiency | 5,000 | 435 |
| October 26, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 792 | 761 |
| October 27, 2026 | French-language proficiency | 5,000 | 407 |
| October 28, 2026 | Transport occupations | 150 | 477 |
PNP rounds
A provincial or territorial nomination adds 600 points, which is why PNP round cut-offs sit far above other rounds. IRCC says it continues to invite nominated candidates through general and PNP-specific rounds. See also provincial draws.
Category-based rounds
Candidates must meet the category requirements in the round's instructions as well as being eligible for an Express Entry program. IRCC says category rounds supplement other round types and may not be needed if enough eligible candidates are already being invited through general or program-specific rounds. See category-based selection.
What moves a cut-off
- Invitation count: more invitations reach further down the ranking.
- Pool make-up: IRCC notes the distribution changes as new profiles are submitted and others expire.
- Round frequency and type: candidates invited in one round leave the pool before the next.
- Rule changes: the CRS has changed over time, and IRCC says you can check which Ministerial Instructions were in force for a given round. From November 3, 2026, high-wage work and job offer points apply (see the November 2026 changes).
Reading the pool distribution
With each round IRCC publishes how many candidates are in each score band, taken a few days before the round. As of October 25, 2026, IRCC reported:
| CRS range | Candidates |
|---|---|
| 601–1200 | 787 |
| 501–600 | 20,535 |
| 451–500 | 71,112 |
| 401–450 | 63,505 |
| 351–400 | 47,911 |
| 301–350 | 17,247 |
| 0–300 | 7,627 |
| Total | 228,724 |
The distribution covers the whole pool. It doesn't show how many candidates are eligible for a specific program or category, so it can't predict a category round's cut-off. Track updates on our pool distribution page and the full draw history; for CEC specifically, see CEC draws.
Past cut-offs show trends, but IRCC doesn't announce future cut-offs. Compare your own score in the CRS calculator and confirm round details on canada.ca.
Sources: IRCC — Rounds of invitations, IRCC — Ministerial Instructions respecting invitations to apply, IRCC — Express Entry rounds data (JSON), IRCC — Category-based selection, IRCC — CRS criteria.