Canada has conducted another round of invitations through the Express Entry, welcoming thousands of skilled immigration candidates. In the latest draw, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 5,500 candidates with strong French-language abilities to apply for permanent residence.
This round is significant because it recorded one of the lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off scores seen in the past year, creating new opportunities for French-speaking applicants seeking to settle in Canada.
Also Read Canada Conducts Major Express Entry Draw, Invites 5,500 French-Speaking Candidates
Details of the Latest Express Entry Draw
The most recent draw targeted candidates under the French-language proficiency category, which is part of Canada’s category-based selection approach.
To receive an invitation in this round, candidates needed to meet the following criteria:
- Minimum CRS score: 397
- Express Entry profile submission deadline: Before October 10, 2025, at 6:18 PM (UTC)
Candidates who met these conditions were issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence.
The draw stands out because the CRS score requirement dropped lower than in most recent rounds, highlighting Canada’s continued efforts to attract French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec.
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Express Entry Draws Conducted in 2026
So far, Canada has held multiple invitation rounds across different categories in 2026. These draws have targeted candidates with Canadian work experience, provincial nominations, and skills in priority sectors.
| Draw Date | Draw Type | CRS Cut-Off | Invitations Issued |
| 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 |
The March 4 draw is also notable for being only the second French-language category draw of the year.
Lowest CRS Score Seen in Over a Year
The CRS cut-off of 397 is the lowest score recorded for a French-language category draw in more than a year.
Among all invitation rounds held over the last 12 months, only the draw specifically targeting physicians with Canadian work experience had a lower CRS threshold.
This development could benefit many candidates with strong French skills who previously missed invitations due to higher score requirements.
Draw Categories Used by IRCC in 2026
Throughout 2026, IRCC has used multiple selection streams within Express Entry to address Canada’s labor market needs. These include:
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 5 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 4 |
| French-language proficiency | 2 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 1 |
| Healthcare and social services | 1 |
Most of the draws this year have prioritized candidates who are already living and working in Canada, especially those with provincial nominations or Canadian work experience.
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French-Speaking Candidates Receive Strong Support
Despite only two draws targeting French-speaking applicants so far, this category has already received a large number of invitations in 2026.
A total of 14,000 ITAs have been issued to French-speaking candidates this year, making it the second-largest category for invitations.
Canada continues to encourage French-speaking immigration as part of its strategy to strengthen francophone communities outside Quebec.
Total Invitations Issued Through Express Entry in 2026
Since the start of the year, IRCC has issued 44,612 invitations to apply through the Express Entry system.
| Draw Category | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 24,000 |
| French-language proficiency | 14,000 |
| Healthcare and social services | 4,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 1,798 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 391 |
The large number of invitations shows Canada’s continued commitment to attracting skilled immigrants to support its economy and workforce needs.
