Express Entry Draw On Sep 29 Announces Highest CRS Score Since 2018

Last Updated On 29 September 2025, 7:11 PM EDT (Toronto Time)

In a stunning development, Canada’s most recent Express Entry draw on September 29, 2025 has recorded the highest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoff in nearly seven years.

The round—restricted to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program—issued 291 invitations and set the lowest CRS score at 855.

This CRS cutoff score has jumped by 109 points as compared to the previous PNP Express Entry draw on September 15, 2025.

This marks one of the most competitive draws in the history of the Express Entry system.

Full Details Of The Express Entry Draw On September 29

Program: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Date & Time: September 29, 2025
CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate Invited: 855
Number of Invitations Issued: 291
Rank Needed: 291 or above
Tie-Breaking Rule: April 08, 2025 at 01:25:29 UTC

In this draw, IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) prioritized candidates who hold a provincial nomination, which effectively boosts their CRS by 600 points.

In cases where more than one candidate shares the lowest invited score (855), the system relies on a tie-break timestamp: only those who submitted their Express Entry profile before April 08, 2025 at 01:25:29 UTC were eligible.

Top 5 Highest CRS cutoff score ever in Express Entry system

This latest draw is now among the top 5 highest CRS cutoffs ever recorded in the Express Entry system:

Date	Round Type	Invitations Issued	CRS Cutoff
May 30, 2018	Provincial Nominee Program	200	902
Jan 31, 2015	No Program Specified	779	886
Sept 29, 2025	Provincial Nominee Program	291	855
Feb 7, 2015	No Program Specified	779	818
Nov 18, 2024	Provincial Nominee Program	174	816

As this table shows, the 855 cutoff slots are the third-highest CRS threshold since the Express Entry system’s inception.

Latest CRS Score Distribution in the Pool

At the time of the draw, the distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool by CRS score bracket was as follows (total pool: 250,993 candidates):

CRS Score Range	Number of Candidates
601–1,200	288
501–600	24,531
451–500	70,583
491–500	12,255
481–490	12,473
471–480	15,150
461–470	15,781
451–460	14,924
401–450	74,481
441–450	14,806
431–440	16,354
421–430	14,820
411–420	14,839
401–410	13,662
351–400	53,066
301–350	19,963
0–300	8,081

This sharp concentration in the 451–500 ranges underscores the fierce competition among candidates just below the top tiers.

Who Got the Invitations in This Draw?

To better understand the type of candidates who received invitations in the September 29, 2025 Express Entry Draw, here are some examples of profiles that crossed the CRS cutoff of 855 after securing provincial nominations:

Amandeep – Software Engineer (CRS 877)
With 7 years of IT experience, a Master’s degree, and CLB 10 in IELTS, Amandeep received a provincial nomination from Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities stream, which boosted his score well above the cutoff.

Sophie – Registered Nurse (CRS 869)
Sophie worked in Canada for 2 years, scored CLB 9 in English and CLB 7 in French, and was nominated by Nova Scotia’s Labour Market Priorities stream for healthcare professionals.

Diego – Electrician (CRS 862)
Skilled in trades with over a decade of work experience, Diego was nominated through Alberta’s Express Entry stream for high-demand skilled trades, pushing his score past 855.

Fatima – Business Analyst (CRS 858)
Fatima had strong international work experience, a Canadian post-graduate diploma, and high English test results. She secured a provincial nomination through British Columbia’s PNP Tech Pilot.

Jean – Early Childhood Educator (CRS 856)
With a diploma in early childhood education, 4 years of Canadian work experience, and a French-language profile, Jean was nominated by Manitoba for filling education sector shortages.

The September 29, 2025 Express Entry draw has raised the bar with one of the highest CRS cutoffs in history, highlighting the growing importance of securing a provincial nomination.

As competition intensifies, candidates must adopt smart strategies to boost their profiles and stay competitive in future rounds.

With more draws expected this week, staying updated and prepared is the key to turning Express Entry dreams into reality.

FAQs

What is an Express Entry Draw?

An Express Entry Draw is the periodic invitation round run by IRCC, where top-ranking candidates in the Express Entry pool are selected (invited) to apply for permanent residence based on their CRS scores and program eligibility.

How often do Express Entry Draws occur?

Historically, draws are held every two weeks or so, but the schedule can vary depending on government targets, policy changes, or program focus. (Canada.ca)

What was unique about the September 29, 2025 Express Entry Draw?

The September 29 draw set a CRS cutoff of 855, making it the highest since 2018’s PNP draw (902). It also issued 291 invitations under the Provincial Nominee Program, making it one of the most competitive draws to date.

How does the tie-breaking rule work in an Express Entry Draw?

If multiple candidates share the lowest qualifying CRS score, IRCC uses the time and date the profile was submitted. Only candidates who submitted earlier (before the tie-break timestamp) are eligible. In the Sept 29 draw, that timestamp was April 08, 2025 at 01:25:29 UTC.

How to improve chances for future Express Entry Draws?

Obtaining a provincial nomination (adds 600 points)
Improving language test scores (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF)
Gaining additional work experience, especially in-demand fields
Enhancing education credentials
Demonstrating job offers arranged employment, if eligible

Satinder Bains

Satinder brings expertise, knowledge, and experience related to internal work flows at IRCC. She worked at Canadian Consulate in Chandigarh before moving to Canada. Her articles on “Chinook – An internal IRCC tool used to bulk process temporary applications” was one of the notable work on our news website