Canada has continued its strong focus on attracting French-speaking immigrants through the Express Entry system, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducting another major selection round aimed at candidates with French-language proficiency.
In the latest Express Entry draw held on May 28, 2026, IRCC invited 4,500 candidates to apply for permanent residence. The draw targeted applicants who demonstrated strong French-language skills, further reinforcing Canada’s efforts to support Francophone immigration outside Quebec and strengthen bilingual communities across the country.
Candidates selected in this round were required to meet a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 409. Additionally, applicants needed to have submitted their Express Entry profile before 10:20 p.m. UTC on April 29, 2026, to be eligible for consideration.
Also Read Canada Invites 4,500 Candidates in Latest French-Language Express Entry Draw
French-Language Draws Continue to Offer Competitive CRS Scores
The latest invitation round once again highlights the advantage enjoyed by French-speaking candidates under Canada’s current immigration strategy. Compared to several Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws conducted this year, the CRS requirement for French-language applicants has remained significantly lower.
This trend reflects IRCC’s broader immigration priorities, which include increasing the number of French-speaking newcomers settling in provinces and territories outside Quebec. By conducting category-based draws focused on language ability, Canada is creating more pathways for bilingual and Francophone skilled workers to secure permanent residency.
The CRS cut-off of 409 in this draw was higher than the previous French-language selection held on April 29, where the minimum score was 400. However, it still remained far below many recent CEC and PNP invitation rounds conducted in 2026.
Top Stories
- Canada Holds New French-Language Express Entry Draw, Issues 4,500 Invitations
- Canada Conducts New Express Entry Draw Focused on Canadian Experience Class Candidates
- Canada Conducts Another Express Entry PNP Draw, Invites 334 Candidates
- Manitoba Conducts New PNP Draw, Prioritizes Candidates With Provincial Recruitment Support
- Prince Edward Island Continues PNP Draws With 114 ITAs Issued
Latest Express Entry Draw Details
The May 28 draw became the 30th Express Entry selection round conducted by IRCC in 2026 and marked the fourth Express Entry draw held during the month of May.
To qualify for this draw, candidates needed:
- A minimum CRS score of 409
- An Express Entry profile created before April 29, 2026 at 10:20 p.m. UTC
- Eligibility under the French-language proficiency category
The latest selection round demonstrates that French-speaking applicants continue to benefit from dedicated immigration opportunities as Canada addresses labour shortages and demographic goals through targeted immigration programs.
Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2026
| Date | Draw Type | CRS cut-off score | ITAs issued |
| May 28 | French-Language proficiency | 409 | 4,500 |
| May 27 | Canadian Experience Class | 518 | 3,000 |
| May 25 | Provincial Nominee Program | 805 | 334 |
| May 11 | Provincial Nominee Program | 798 | 380 |
| 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 |
IRCC’s 2026 Strategy Focuses on In-Canada Candidates
Throughout 2026, Express Entry invitations have largely concentrated on candidates already connected to Canada’s labour market. Applicants with Canadian work experience and those nominated by provinces have consistently received invitations through frequent CEC and PNP draws.
At the same time, French-language candidates have remained one of the strongest priority groups this year. The immigration department has conducted six dedicated French-language draws so far, issuing a substantial number of invitations compared to several other categories.
This strategy aligns with Canada’s long-term immigration planning, which aims to fill workforce shortages while supporting regional economic growth and increasing Francophone immigration levels outside Quebec.
Related Stories
- Canada Holds New French-Language Express Entry Draw, Issues 4,500 Invitations
- Canada Conducts New Express Entry Draw Focused on Canadian Experience Class Candidates
- Canada Conducts Another Express Entry PNP Draw, Invites 334 Candidates
- Canada Holds First Express Entry Draw of May 2026 for Provincial Nominees
- Canada Issues 4,000 ITAs in Latest French-Focused Express Entry Draw
Number of Express Entry Draws by Category in 2026
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 11 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 9 |
| French-Language proficiency | 6 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 1 |
| Healthcare and social services | 1 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 1 |
| Trades | 1 |
Nearly 80,000 Invitations Issued So Far in 2026
Canada has already invited tens of thousands of immigration candidates through Express Entry in the first five months of the year. As of now, IRCC has issued 79,841 Invitations to Apply across multiple categories.
Canadian Experience Class candidates have received the highest number of invitations this year, followed closely by French-speaking applicants. The high number of invitations issued under these categories indicates that Canada continues to prioritize applicants who can integrate quickly into the labour market and contribute to the economy.
Total ITAs Issued by Draw Type in 2026
| Draw type | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 37,250 |
| French-Language proficiency | 30,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 4,450 |
| Healthcare and social services | 4,000 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 391 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 250 |
What This Means for Express Entry Candidates
The latest draw sends a strong signal that candidates with French-language abilities continue to hold a major advantage within the Express Entry system. Applicants who can demonstrate higher French proficiency may benefit from lower CRS score requirements and increased opportunities for permanent residence invitations.
Meanwhile, candidates with Canadian work experience and provincial nominations are also expected to remain key priorities throughout the year as Canada continues to address labour market needs through targeted immigration selections.
With IRCC maintaining a consistent draw schedule in 2026, many immigration candidates are closely watching upcoming invitation rounds to assess future CRS trends and category-based selection priorities.
