Canada’s immigration system has recorded another significant development, as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new Express Entry draw targeting French-speaking candidates. The latest round stands out for its notably low Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) threshold, offering fresh opportunities for applicants with French proficiency.
Also Read Canada Issues 4,000 ITAs in French Draw as CRS Falls to 393
Key Highlights of the Latest Draw
In the most recent selection round held on March 18, IRCC issued 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the French-language proficiency category.
To qualify for this draw, applicants were required to meet the following criteria:
- Minimum CRS score of 393
- Express Entry profile submitted before December 29, 2025 (12:47 p.m. UTC)
This marks one of the lowest CRS cut-offs seen in 2026, reinforcing Canada’s continued emphasis on attracting bilingual talent.
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- British Columbia Selects New Investors Through Entrepreneur Immigration Draw
- Manitoba Issues New Invitations to Skilled Workers Through PNP
Complete Overview of Express Entry Draws in 2026
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of all Express Entry draws conducted so far this year:
| Draw date | Draw Type | CRS cut-off score | ITAs issued |
| March 18 | French-Language proficiency | 393 | 4,000 |
| March 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 507 | 4,000 |
| March 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 742 | 362 |
| March 5 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 429 | 250 |
| March 4 | French-Language proficiency | 397 | 5,500 |
| March 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 4,000 |
| March 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 710 | 264 |
| February 20 | Healthcare and social services | 467 | 4,000 |
| February 19 | Physicians with Canadian work experience | 169 | 391 |
| February 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 6,000 |
| February 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 279 |
| February 6 | French-Language proficiency | 400 | 8,500 |
| February 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 749 | 423 |
| January 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 6,000 |
| January 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 746 | 681 |
| January 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 511 | 8,000 |
| January 5 | Provincial Nominee Program | 711 | 574 |
French-Language Draws Gaining Momentum
Although only three French-language draws have been conducted in 2026 so far, they have already resulted in a substantial number of invitations. With 18,000 ITAs issued, this category is rapidly becoming one of the most active streams within Express Entry.
It currently ranks just behind the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) in terms of total invitations distributed this year.
Related Stories
- CRS Drops to 393 in Latest French-Language Express Entry Draw
- Canada Invites 4,000 CEC Candidates as CRS Drops to 18-Month Low
- PNP Candidates Receive Fresh Invitations in Latest Express Entry Draw
- British Columbia Selects New Investors Through Entrepreneur Immigration Draw
- Manitoba Issues New Invitations to Skilled Workers Through PNP
Draw Distribution by Category
Here’s how Express Entry draws have been distributed across categories in 2026:
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 6 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 5 |
| French-Language proficiency | 3 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 1 |
| Healthcare and social services | 1 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 1 |
The data reflects a clear trend: IRCC is prioritizing candidates who are already contributing to the Canadian workforce or have strong ties to the country.
Total ITAs Issued in 2026 So Far
So far this year, Canada has issued 53,224 ITAs across multiple categories. The distribution is as follows:
| Draw type | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 28,000 |
| French-Language proficiency | 18,000 |
| Healthcare and social services | 4,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 2,583 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 391 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 250 |
What This Means for Applicants
The drop in CRS score for French-speaking candidates signals a strong push by Canada to strengthen its bilingual workforce. For prospective immigrants, especially those with French language skills, this presents a valuable opportunity to secure permanent residency with a comparatively lower score.
At the same time, the continued dominance of CEC and PNP highlights Canada’s ongoing preference for candidates with local experience or provincial nominations.
Final Takeaway
The latest Express Entry results underline a strategic shift in Canada’s immigration priorities for 2026. With lower CRS thresholds in targeted draws and a growing number of ITAs issued, candidates who align with specific categories, particularly French speakers, are currently in a highly advantageous position.
