Canada has continued its active immigration selection rounds with another major Express Entry draw, further reinforcing its commitment to attracting skilled talent with strong French-language abilities. The latest round of invitations, conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), marks the third draw within the same week and highlights the growing importance of bilingual candidates in the country’s immigration strategy.
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4,000 Invitations Issued for French-Speaking Candidates
In the most recent Express Entry selection round, IRCC invited 4,000 candidates to apply for permanent residence under the French-language proficiency category. This draw reflects Canada’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Francophone communities outside Quebec and support economic growth through targeted immigration.
To qualify for this round, candidates were required to meet specific eligibility criteria, including:
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 400
- Submission of their Express Entry profile before April 7, 2026, at 8:13 p.m. (UTC)
The relatively moderate CRS cut-off score once again indicates that French-speaking candidates continue to benefit from category-based selection draws, which prioritise specific skills and linguistic abilities.
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A Busy Week for Express Entry in Canada
This latest round follows two other draws conducted earlier in the same week, making it a notably active period for Canada’s immigration system. The sequence of draws demonstrates a balanced approach, with invitations extended across different categories, including provincial nominees and candidates with Canadian work experience.
Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2026
| Date | Draw Type | CRS cut-off score | ITAs issued |
| April 29 | French-Language proficiency | 400 | 4,000 |
| April 28 | Canadian Experience Class | 514 | 2,000 |
| April 27 | Provincial Nominee Program | 795 | 473 |
| April 15 | French-Language proficiency | 419 | 4,000 |
| April 14 | Canadian Experience Class | 515 | 2,000 |
| April 13 | Provincial Nominee Program | 786 | 324 |
| April 2 | Trades | 477 | 3,000 |
| March 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 2,250 |
| March 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 802 | 356 |
| 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 Gain Momentum in 2026
The April 29 draw represents the fifth selection round specifically targeting French-speaking candidates this year and the twenty-sixth Express Entry draw overall in 2026. Although the total number of draws has not been particularly high compared to previous years, the size of each round has remained substantial.
As a result, French-language proficiency draws have emerged as one of the most prominent categories this year, ranking second in total invitations issued—just behind the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Focus on In-Canada Candidates Remains Strong
A clear pattern has emerged in 2026, with IRCC prioritising candidates who are already integrated into the Canadian labour market. Many draws this year have targeted individuals with Canadian work experience or those nominated by provinces, reflecting a strategy aimed at retaining talent that is already contributing to the economy.
Breakdown of Draw Types Conducted in 2026
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 9 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 8 |
| French-Language proficiency | 5 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 1 |
| Healthcare and social services | 1 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 1 |
| Trades | 1 |
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Total ITAs Issued by Category in 2026
So far in 2026, IRCC has issued a total of 71,627 invitations across multiple immigration pathways, reflecting a diverse and targeted selection approach.
| Draw type | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 34,250 |
| French-Language proficiency | 26,000 |
| Healthcare and social services | 4,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 3,736 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 391 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 250 |
What This Means for Immigration Candidates
The continued emphasis on French-language proficiency signals valuable opportunities for bilingual candidates aiming to secure permanent residence in Canada. At the same time, the strong presence of CEC and PNP draws suggests that candidates with Canadian work experience or provincial nominations remain highly competitive.
As Canada refines its category-based selection system, applicants who align with targeted criteria—such as language skills or in-demand occupations—are likely to see improved chances of receiving an invitation in future draws.
