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Canada Invites 5,000 French-Speaking Candidates Through Latest Express Entry Draw

Canada Invites 5,000 French-Speaking Candidates Through Latest Express Entry Draw

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

DateDraw TypeMinimum CRSNumber of ITAs
July 9French Language Proficiency4205,000
July 7Canadian Experience Class5172,000
July 6Provincial Nominee Program708534
June 25Healthcare and Social Services4754,000
June 24Physicians with Canadian Work Experience 223271
June 23Canadian Experience Class 5164,000
June 22Provincial Nominee Program 730955
May 28French Language Proficiency4094,500
May 27Canadian Experience Class5183,000
May 25Provincial Nominee Program805334
May 11Provincial Nominee Program798380
April 29French Language Proficiency4004,000
April 28Canadian Experience Class5142,000
April 27Provincial Nominee Program795473
April 15French Language Proficiency 4194,000
April 14Canadian Experience Class5152,000
April 13Provincial Nominee Program789324
April 2Trades4773,000
March 31Canadian Experience Class5092,250
March 30Provincial Nominee Program802356
March 18French Language Proficiency3934,000
March 17Canadian Experience Class5074,000
March 16Provincial Nominee Program742362
March 5 Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience429250
March 4French Language Proficiency3975,500
March 3Canadian Experience Class5084,000
March 2Provincial Nominee Program 710264
February 20Healthcare and social services4674,000
February 19 Physicians with Canadian work experience169391
February 17Canadian Experience Class5086,000
February 16Provincial Nominee Program789279
February 6French Language Proficiency4008,500
February 3Provincial Nominee Program749423
January 21Canadian Experience Class5096,000
January 20Provincial Nominee Program746681
January 7Canadian Experience Class5118,000
January 5Provincial Nominee Program711574

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.

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