Canada Issues 4,000 ITAs in Third Express Entry Draw of the Week Targeting French Speakers

In a continued push to attract skilled talent, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted another Express Entry draw, issuing 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with strong French-language proficiency.

This latest round marks the third Express Entry draw of the week, highlighting Canada’s active immigration strategy and ongoing demand for bilingual professionals. Profile Submission Deadline: April 7, 2026, at 8:13 p.m. (UTC)

Latest Draw Details 

• Draw Date: April 29, 2026
• Draw Type: French Language Proficiency
• Number of Invitations: 4,000
• Minimum CRS Score Required: 400

Express Entry Draws List 2026

Candidates needed to meet the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score of 400 and have submitted their Express Entry profile before the specified deadline to qualify.

Strong Focus on French-Speaking Candidates

This is the fifth French-language draw of 2026, demonstrating Canada’s commitment to increasing Francophone immigration outside Quebec. Despite fewer overall draws this year, larger invitation rounds have significantly boosted the number of candidates selected under this category.

So far, French-language candidates have received the second-highest number of ITAs in 2026, surpassed only by those in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Express Entry Trends in 2026

Canada’s immigration strategy this year has largely focused on candidates already in the country, especially those with:

• Canadian work experience (CEC)
• Provincial nominations (PNP)

At the same time, targeted category-based draws like French-language proficiency, healthcare, and trades continue to play a key role in addressing specific labor shortages.

Number of Draws by Category (2026)

• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 9 draws
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 8 draws
• French-language proficiency: 5 draws
• Other categories (Healthcare, Trades, Physicians, Senior Managers): Limited draws

Total ITAs Issued in 2026 (So Far)

A total of 71,627 ITAs have been issued across all categories this year:

What This Means for Applicants

The latest draw reinforces Canada’s dual approach prioritizing candidates already contributing to the economy while also targeting specific skill sets and language abilities.

For applicants, especially French-speaking candidates, this trend presents a strong opportunity to secure permanent residency through Express Entry in 2026.

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