Canada has continued its targeted approach to economic immigration with a fresh Express Entry invitation round focused on French-language proficiency. In the latest selection, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 5,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence, giving French-speaking candidates another opportunity to move forward with their Canadian immigration plans.
The latest draw is particularly notable because the minimum CRS score dropped to 399, bringing the threshold below the 400-point mark. For candidates who have been closely monitoring their Express Entry scores, the result could signal renewed opportunities through category-based selection.
Also Read Canada Invites 5,000 French-Speaking Candidates as Express Entry CRS Cutoff Falls to 399
Latest Express Entry Draw Targets French-Language Candidates
The newest Express Entry round was designed specifically for candidates who met IRCC’s eligibility requirements for the French-language proficiency category.
A total of 5,000 candidates received invitations in the selection round. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 399.
Candidates also needed to have submitted their Express Entry profiles before the specified tie-breaking date and time. This requirement is used when multiple candidates have the same CRS score.
Draw Summary
- Draw date: July 22, 2026
- Selection category: French-Language Proficiency
- Invitations issued: 5,000
- Lowest CRS score: 399
- Tie-breaking profile date: November 19, 2025
- Tie-breaking time: 9:21 p.m. UTC
- Express Entry draw number in 2026: 41st selection round
CRS Cutoff Falls Below 400
One of the biggest takeaways from the latest selection is the movement in the CRS threshold.
The cutoff of 399 represents a significant opportunity for candidates with strong French-language abilities who may not have been competitive enough in general Express Entry selections. Category-based draws allow IRCC to select candidates based on specific characteristics that support Canada’s economic and demographic priorities.
The latest threshold is also the lowest CRS requirement recorded for a French-language proficiency draw since March 2026, according to the supplied draw data.
For candidates sitting around the 390–410 CRS range, the result could be especially encouraging. However, CRS requirements can change considerably between individual draws depending on the number of invitations issued and the size and composition of the candidate pool.
Top Stories
- Canada Express Entry Draw: 5,000 French-Speaking Candidates Receive ITAs as CRS Falls to 399
- Manitoba Issues 2,146 PNP Invitations as Graduates and Skilled Talent Lead July Selection
- Canada Express Entry Draw: 2,000 CEC Candidates Receive ITAs for PR
- Canada Holds New Express Entry PNP Draw, Issues 511 Invitations to Provincial Nominees
- Alberta PNP Invites More Than 1,100 Skilled Candidates Through Multiple Immigration Streams
Express Entry Draw Summary for 2026
The following table provides an overview of the recent Express Entry selection rounds included in the supplied data:
| Date | Draw Type | CRS Cut-off Score | ITAs Issued |
| July 22 | French-Language Proficiency | 399 | 5,000 |
| July 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 2,000 |
| July 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 744 | 511 |
| July 10 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 392 | 500 |
| July 9 | French-Language Proficiency | 420 | 5,000 |
| July 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 517 | 2,000 |
| July 6 | Provincial Nominee Program | 708 | 534 |
| June 25 | Healthcare and Social Services | 475 | 4,000 |
| June 24 | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 223 | 271 |
| June 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 4,000 |
| June 22 | Provincial Nominee Program | 730 | 955 |
| 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 |
How Many Express Entry Draws Has IRCC Held in 2026?
With the latest round, IRCC has conducted 41 Express Entry selection rounds in 2026, according to the provided figures.
The distribution of draws shows that the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) have accounted for a large share of selection activity.
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 14 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 12 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 8 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 2 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 2 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 2 |
| Trades | 1 |
This distribution highlights the importance of Canadian work experience and provincial nomination within the Express Entry system. At the same time, the number of French-language selections shows that candidates with French proficiency continue to receive dedicated opportunities through category-based immigration.
More Than 100,000 ITAs Issued in 2026
The cumulative invitation figures supplied for 2026 show that IRCC has issued 104,612 ITAs through the various Express Entry selection categories.
The Canadian Experience Class has accounted for the largest share of invitations, followed by French-language proficiency selections.
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 45,250 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 40,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 6,450 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 8,000 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 662 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 750 |
The figures underline the scale of Canada’s Express Entry activity this year. They also show how category-based selection has expanded opportunities for candidates whose profiles align with specific labour market and immigration priorities.
Related Stories
- Canada Express Entry Draw: 5,000 French-Speaking Candidates Receive ITAs as CRS Falls to 399
- Canada Express Entry Draw: 2,000 CEC Candidates Receive ITAs for PR
- Canada Holds New Express Entry PNP Draw, Issues 511 Invitations to Provincial Nominees
- Canada Invites 500 Senior Managers in Latest Express Entry Draw with Lowest CRS Score Yet
- Canada Holds Major Express Entry Draw, Invites 5,000 French-Speaking Candidates for PR
What Could Happen in Future Express Entry Draws?
The latest results reinforce the importance of Canada’s category-based Express Entry approach. Rather than relying only on broad program-based selections, IRCC has continued to use targeted draws to attract candidates who meet specific economic and demographic objectives.
The strong number of invitations issued through French-language selections also indicates that French-speaking candidates remain an important part of Canada’s immigration strategy.
As future Express Entry rounds take place, candidates will be watching closely to see whether IRCC continues with large category-based draws, increases invitations in specific sectors or shifts its focus among the different immigration pathways.
For prospective immigrants, the key takeaway is clear: Express Entry remains highly dynamic, and candidates should build profiles that can compete across as many eligible pathways as possible.
