August 20, 2026
Canada has continued its efforts to attract French-speaking immigrants by issuing 5,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence through the Express Entry system.
The latest Express Entry draw was held on August 6, 2026, and targeted candidates with strong French-language proficiency. Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 391 to receive an invitation.
This draw is particularly important for immigration candidates because it shows that French-language proficiency continues to provide a significant advantage for those planning to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
Here are the main details of the draw:
To be considered, candidates needed to have an active Express Entry profile created before the tie-breaking date and time.
A CRS score of 391 was required in this round, making it one of the lower CRS cut-off scores seen in French-language proficiency draws in recent months.
| Date | Draw Type | Minimum CRS | Number of ITAs |
| August 6 | French-Language Proficiency | 391 | 5,000 |
| August 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 3,000 |
| August 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 768 | 507 |
| July 23 | Skilled Military Recruits | 368 | 4 |
| 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 |
Canada has been placing increasing importance on attracting French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec. Through category-based Express Entry draws, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues to invite candidates who can demonstrate strong French-language abilities.
For eligible candidates, French proficiency can be a major advantage in the Canadian immigration process.
Candidates may improve their Express Entry profile through factors such as:
French-speaking candidates may also benefit from dedicated Express Entry selection rounds, where the CRS cut-off score can be lower than in some general or other category-based draws.
Canada has conducted Express Entry draws for several categories throughout 2026. These include:
So far in 2026, French-language proficiency has remained one of the major categories targeted through Express Entry.
The Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Program have also received significant attention, particularly for candidates who already have Canadian work experience or have been nominated by a Canadian province or territory.
According to the Express Entry draw data available for 2026, French-language proficiency draws have resulted in more than 50,000 ITAs being issued during the year.
This demonstrates Canada’s ongoing commitment to increasing the number of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec.
The latest draw of 5,000 invitations also followed several other large French-language Express Entry rounds held during 2026.
For example, French-language candidates have received thousands of invitations in multiple draws, with CRS cut-off scores generally remaining competitive compared with several other Express Entry categories.
For individuals planning to immigrate to Canada, learning French can potentially improve their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence.
Express Entry candidates who meet the eligibility requirements for French-language proficiency may qualify for category-based selection rounds. Depending on their profile and language scores, this could provide an additional pathway towards Canadian PR.
Candidates must still meet the eligibility requirements set by IRCC and maintain an eligible Express Entry profile.
It is important to understand that simply knowing French is not enough. Candidates must meet the required language proficiency standards and provide valid language test results from an approved testing organization.
The Express Entry system continues to be one of Canada’s major pathways for skilled immigrants seeking permanent residence.
Through Express Entry, IRCC manages applications under several federal economic immigration programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System, which considers factors such as age, education, work experience and language ability.
IRCC then conducts invitation rounds and selects eligible candidates based on the requirements of each draw.
The latest French-language proficiency draw highlights the importance of language skills in Canada’s immigration system and provides another opportunity for qualified candidates hoping to begin a new life in Canada.
Understanding Express Entry eligibility, CRS scores and category-based selection can sometimes be complicated. Every applicant has a different profile, and choosing the right immigration strategy is important.
At Oasis Visas, our team can help you understand your Canada immigration options and assess your eligibility for pathways such as Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs.
If you are planning to apply for Canada PR, improving your profile, understanding your CRS score and staying updated with the latest Express Entry draws can help you make better decisions for your immigration journey.
Planning your future in Canada? Contact Oasis Visas to explore your Canada PR options and understand the immigration pathways available for your profile.
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