Canada has conducted another Express Entry draw, inviting 5,000 candidates with strong French-language proficiency to apply for permanent residence.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the latest Express Entry draw on July 9, 2026, continuing its focus on attracting French-speaking skilled workers to support the country’s bilingual workforce and regional immigration goals.
To receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), candidates were required to meet the following criteria:
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 420.
- An Express Entry profile created before 8:04 a.m. UTC on May 15, 2026.
Latest Draw Details
- Draw Date: July 9, 2026
- Draw Type: French Language Proficiency
- Number of Invitations: 5,000
- Minimum CRS Score Required: 420
Express Entry Draws List 2026
| Date | Draw Type | Minimum CRS | Number of ITAs |
| 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 | 789 | 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 |
The latest invitation round highlights Canada’s continued commitment to increasing the number of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec and strengthening French-speaking communities across the country.
French-Language Draw Reaches New Milestone
The July 9 invitation round is the largest French-language Express Entry draw since March 4, 2026, when IRCC invited 5,500 candidates. It also recorded the highest CRS cut-off score for a French-language draw since October 6, 2025, reflecting increased competition among applicants.
French-language category-based draws remain an important part of Canada’s immigration strategy, offering additional opportunities for skilled workers who demonstrate strong proficiency in French.
Express Entry Focus in 2026
With this latest round, IRCC has now conducted 37 Express Entry draws in 2026.
This year, invitations have primarily been issued through the following categories:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare and Social Services
- Physicians with Canadian work experience
- Senior Managers with Canadian work experience
- Skilled Trades
The continued emphasis on category-based selection reflects Canada’s efforts to address labour shortages while supporting economic growth across different regions.
More Than 96,000 Invitations Issued This Year
As of July 2026, IRCC has issued 96,601 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system.
The invitations have been distributed as follows:
- Canadian Experience Class: 43,250 ITAs
- French-Language Proficiency: 35,500 ITAs
- Healthcare and Social Services: 8,000 ITAs
- Provincial Nominee Program: 5,939 ITAs
- Trades: 3,000 ITAs
- Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience: 750 ITAs
- Physicians with Canadian Work Experience: 662 ITAs
What This Means for Immigration Candidates
The latest draw demonstrates that French-language proficiency continues to provide a significant advantage for Express Entry applicants. Candidates with strong French skills may qualify under dedicated category-based draws, even with CRS scores that differ from general or Canadian Experience Class rounds.
Individuals planning to immigrate to Canada should ensure their language test results, Express Entry profile, and supporting documents remain up to date to maximize their chances of receiving an invitation.
Looking to improve your chances of receiving an Express Entry invitation? Oasis Visas can help you evaluate your eligibility, optimize your CRS score, and guide you through every stage of your Canadian permanent residence application.
