Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted another Express Entry draw, inviting 5,000 candidates with strong French-language proficiency to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
The latest selection round highlights Canada’s continued commitment to attracting French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec while supporting the country’s bilingual workforce and addressing labour market needs.
In the latest French-language category-based draw, candidates were required to meet the following eligibility criteria:
The CRS requirement of 399 marks the lowest score for a French-language Express Entry draw since March 2026, providing an excellent opportunity for French-speaking skilled workers seeking permanent residence in Canada.
| Date | Draw Type | Minimum CRS | Number of ITAs |
| 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 | 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 |
So far in 2026, IRCC has held 41 Express Entry draws, with a strong focus on candidates who have Canadian work experience, provincial nominations or French-language skills.
| Draw Category | 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 |
| Skilled Military Recruits | 1 |
The continued emphasis on category-based selection demonstrates Canada’s strategy of inviting candidates who can help address labour shortages while supporting economic growth across the country.
IRCC has issued 104,612 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through Express Entry this year across different categories.
| Draw Category | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 45,250 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 40,500 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 8,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 6,450 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 750 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 662 |
| Skilled Military Recruits | 4 |
The latest draw is encouraging news for candidates with strong French-language abilities. A CRS score below 400 significantly improves opportunities for eligible French-speaking applicants and reinforces Canada’s long-term goal of increasing Francophone immigration outside Quebec.
Applicants planning to immigrate through Express Entry should continue improving their CRS score by strengthening language proficiency, gaining additional work experience, securing provincial nominations, or enhancing their educational credentials.
If you’re planning to apply for Canadian permanent residence through the Express Entry system, professional guidance can help you understand your eligibility and maximize your CRS score.
Oasis Visas offers expert assistance for Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and other Canadian immigration pathways. Our experienced consultants can help you assess your profile and identify the best route toward achieving your Canadian immigration goals.
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