IRCC issues 8,500 invitations in French-language Express Entry draw
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted a new Express Entry selection round targeting candidates with French-language proficiency. The department issued 8,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.
This draw, held on February 6, 2026, required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 400. Candidates were eligible if they had submitted their Express Entry profiles before 11:11 a.m. Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on February 3, 2026.
The event marks the sixth Express Entry draw of 2026 and continues a trend of category-based invitations under Canada’s federal immigration system.
- Draw date: February 6, 2026
- Category: French-language proficiency
- Minimum CRS score: 400
- Invitations issued: 8,500
- Total Express Entry draws in 2026 so far: six
- Total ITAs issued in 2026 to date: 24,178
Overview of the Express Entry system
Express Entry is Canada’s primary application management system for skilled immigration categories, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. The system ranks candidates based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language ability in English or French.
Since its launch in 2015, Express Entry has become a key mechanism for selecting economic immigrants. Periodic draws are held by IRCC to invite top-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence.
Category-based selection and language priorities
IRCC introduced category-based draws in 2023 to target candidates with specific skills, work experience, or language abilities. The French-language proficiency category is one of several established to support Canada’s goal of strengthening francophone communities outside Quebec.
By emphasizing French-language draws, the federal government aims to enhance francophone immigration across provinces such as Manitoba, which also operates the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) to attract bilingual and skilled workers.
Summary of 2026 Express Entry draws
As of early February 2026, six Express Entry draws have taken place. These include selections for French-speaking candidates, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nominees, and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
| Draw date | Category | CRS cut-off | ITAs issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Distribution of ITAs in 2026
According to IRCC data, a total of 24,178 invitations have been issued during the first six draws of 2026. The breakdown by category is as follows:
| Category | ITAs issued |
|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class | 14,000 |
| French-language proficiency | 8,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 1,255 |
The figures demonstrate a continued focus on candidates with Canadian experience and language strengths, aligning with national immigration objectives.
Public relevance and immigration context
Canada’s category-based draws reflect broader efforts to align immigration with labour market demands and demographic priorities. The inclusion of language-specific selections supports the federal target of increasing francophone immigration outside Quebec to 6 percent by 2030.
For provinces such as Manitoba, which rely on skilled newcomers through both Express Entry and provincial nomination streams, these federal draws complement regional workforce strategies. Similar initiatives across other provinces aim to balance economic needs with community development goals.
Looking ahead
IRCC continues to hold frequent Express Entry draws, alternating between category-based and general invitations. Each draw contributes to Canada’s multi-year immigration levels plan, which outlines annual admission targets for economic classes.
Further updates on Express Entry and provincial draws are expected as Canada advances its 2026 immigration agenda. These results provide insights into ongoing selection trends and the federal government’s prioritization of bilingual and experienced candidates.
For continued coverage of immigration policy updates, Express Entry trends, and provincial nomination news, follow related reports in this section.