Canada Express Entry: Hope for Haitians Facing Deportation
Why Express Entry Could Be a Lifeline for Haitian Nationals in the U.S. Facing Deportation
- Over 350,000 Haitians in the U.S. may face deportation by February 2026.
- Canada’s Express Entry system offers a skilled immigration pathway for eligible Haitian nationals.
- French-speaking Haitians have a distinct advantage under Express Entry due to Canada’s Francophone immigration targets.
- CRS points can be boosted through language skills, education, and foreign work experience.
- Category-based draws — especially for French speakers — often have lower cut-off scores.
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) like the Manitoba PNP can help applicants secure an additional 600 CRS points.
Introduction: A Critical Juncture for Haitian Nationals in the U.S.
More than 350,000 Haitian nationals currently living legally in the United States are at risk of deportation starting in February 2026. It’s a deeply concerning situation — but for those with skills and work experience, there’s an opportunity to build a new life in Canada.
Thanks to the country’s merit-based Express Entry system and its focus on attracting French-speaking newcomers, many Haitians may find Canada not just welcoming but actively seeking out their talents. Let’s break down why this is such a promising pathway and how Haitian nationals can make the most of it.
Why Canada Is Prioritizing French Speakers
Canada has made Francophone immigration — especially outside of Quebec — a major priority. In fact, the federal government hopes that 10.5% of new permanent residents by 2028 will be French-speaking. For many Haitians, whose first language is French, this policy opens the door to immigration pathways that are designed with them in mind.
Through the Express Entry system, candidates are scored using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This point-based system evaluates age, education, language proficiency, and work experience. The higher your score, the better your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
Language Skills = Big Points
French-speaking Haitians can earn an impressive number of points just for language skills. Here’s how it works:
- Up to 210 CRS points are available for fluency in both French and English under the Core Human Capital and Additional Factors sections.
- Another 100 CRS points can be awarded under the Skill Transferability section, depending on education and foreign work experience.
That’s a potential 310 points just from language and its synergy with other qualifications — a huge advantage in the competitive Express Entry pool.
Lower CRS Cut-Offs for French Language Draws
Canada holds regular Express Entry draws, inviting top-scoring candidates. But here’s the good news for French-speaking Haitians: category-based draws for French proficiency often have the lowest CRS cut-off scores.
In 2025, the cut-off scores for French-language draws ranged between 379 and 481. That’s significantly lower than other draw types like the Canadian Experience Class (518–547) or health care professions (462–510).
In fact, out of 94,476 ITAs issued through Express Entry in 2025, 42,000 were from French-language draws alone — nearly half!
Comparison of Draw Types (2025)
| Draw Type | Number of Draws | CRS Score Range | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| French-language Proficiency | 8 | 379–481 | 42,000 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 13 | 518–547 | 24,850 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 22 | 699–855 | 9,376 |
| Healthcare & Social Services | 6 | 462–510 | 13,500 |
| Education | 2 | 462–479 | 3,500 |
| Trades | 1 | 505 | 1,250 |
Realistic Scenarios: Haitian Candidates Who Could Qualify
Example 1: Edmund — Restaurant Manager Seeking French Draw
Edmund, 28, lives in the U.S. and has worked as a restaurant manager for three years. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Costa Rica and is fluent in both French and English. His goal is to settle in Alberta, and he targets the French-language Express Entry draw.
With strong language scores and foreign work experience, Edmund’s CRS total comes to 503. That would have qualified him for all eight French-language draws in 2025.
Example 2: Delia — Web Developer with Manitoba Ties
Delia, 31, is a Haitian woman working as a web developer in the U.S. She’s fluent in English and conversational in French. She holds a certificate and a bachelor’s degree in web design and has family in Manitoba, where her sister is a permanent resident.
Delia applied to the Manitoba PNP and received a provincial nomination, which added 600 CRS points to her score. Her final CRS tally? 1,048.
That score guarantees her an ITA through any PNP draw. Manitoba’s Skilled Worker Overseas stream was her golden ticket.
Final Thoughts: A Timely Opportunity for Haitian Nationals
With deportation looming for many Haitians in the U.S., Canada’s Express Entry system offers a timely and hopeful alternative — especially for French speakers and skilled professionals. Whether it’s through a category-based draw or a Provincial Nominee Program, the key lies in understanding your eligibility and maximizing your CRS score.
If you or someone you know is a Haitian national looking to explore this pathway, now is the time to act.
Need help getting started? Use our free tool to assess your eligibility and take your first step toward a new life in Canada.
