More Than 5,000 Express Entry Candidates Invited at Lowest CRS Cut-Off in a Year

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted another Express Entry draw, issuing 5,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with French-language proficiency.

To be eligible for this round of invitations, candidates were required to have:

• A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 397; and
• Created their Express Entry profile before 6:18 p.m. (UTC) on October 10, 2025.

Latest Draw Details 

• Draw Date: March 4, 2026
• Draw Type: French Language Proficiency
• Number of Invitations: 5,500
• Minimum CRS Score Required: 397

Express Entry Draws List 2026

This latest selection marks the second French-language category-based draw of 2026 and the 13th Express Entry draw held this year. Notably, the CRS cut-off score of 397 is the lowest recorded for this category in over a year. Among Express Entry draws conducted within the past 12 months, only the recent draw for physicians with Canadian work experience recorded a lower CRS requirement.

Express Entry draw trends in 2026

So far in 2026, Canada’s immigration department has primarily focused on inviting candidates who are already in Canada, particularly those with provincial nominations and Canadian work experience.

Express Entry draws in 2026 so far

Despite only two French-language draws being held this year, 14,000 invitations have already been issued to French-speaking candidates, making it the second-largest category of invitations in 2026 so far.

ITAs issued in 2026 by category

As of now, IRCC has issued 39,112 ITAs across several categories this year.

The continued emphasis on category-based selections reflects Canada’s strategy to attract candidates with specific skills and language abilities that align with the country’s labour market and demographic needs.

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