IRCC issues 5,500 Express Entry invitations in French draw

IRCC issues 5,500 Express Entry invitations in French draw

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted a new Express Entry draw focused on candidates with strong French-language skills. The department invited 5,500 applicants to apply for permanent residence, making this the second French-language category-based draw of 2026.

The draw, held on March 4, required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 397. Candidates needed to have submitted their Express Entry profile before 6:18 p.m. UTC on October 10, 2025.

• 5,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued in the latest draw.
• The minimum CRS threshold was 397 points.
• This was the second French-language category draw of 2026.
• It marked the thirteenth Express Entry draw of the year.
• The CRS cut-off was the lowest for this category in more than a year.
• So far in 2026, IRCC has issued over 39,000 ITAs across various draw types.

Overview of the latest Express Entry activity

The March 4 selection round continues IRCC’s pattern of targeted Express Entry draws. It follows a series of category-based rounds in 2026, reflecting ongoing emphasis on specific occupational and language profiles aligned with Canada’s labour market needs.

French-speaking candidates have been a consistent focus under Express Entry’s category-based selection since its introduction. This approach supports Canada’s objective to strengthen Francophone immigration outside Quebec.

Summary of 2026 Express Entry draws

As of early March, 13 draws have been held in 2026. These include selections under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), French-language proficiency, healthcare occupations, and physicians with Canadian work experience.

The most recent draws include:

• March 4 – French-language proficiency: 5,500 ITAs, CRS 397.
• March 3 – Canadian Experience Class: 4,000 ITAs, CRS 508.
• March 2 – Provincial Nominee Program: 264 ITAs, CRS 710.
• February 20 – Healthcare and social services: 4,000 ITAs, CRS 467.
• February 19 – Physicians with Canadian work experience: 391 ITAs, CRS 169.

French-language proficiency draws in 2026

This latest draw is the second of its kind this year targeting French-speaking candidates. In total, 14,000 Invitations to Apply have been issued under the French-language category in 2026, making it the second-highest category by number of invitations so far.

The 397-point CRS threshold represents the lowest cut-off for this group since early 2025. Only the February draw for physicians with Canadian work experience recorded a lower score.

Distribution of invitations by category

Across all Express Entry draws in 2026, IRCC has issued 39,112 invitations. The majority went to candidates with Canadian work experience or French-language ability. The breakdown includes:

• Canadian Experience Class – 24,000 ITAs
• French-language proficiency – 14,000 ITAs
• Healthcare and social services – 4,000 ITAs
• Provincial Nominee Program – 1,798 ITAs
• Physicians with Canadian work experience – 391 ITAs

The data indicates IRCC’s focus on candidates who already have ties to Canada or meet specific skill and language needs. This trend aligns with federal and provincial efforts to address workforce shortages, including programs such as the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.

Trends and public relevance

Category-based draws, introduced in mid-2023, allow IRCC to target specific groups within the Express Entry pool. The ongoing inclusion of French-speaking candidates demonstrates the department’s continued support for linguistic diversity and regional population growth outside Quebec.

Provincial nominees and Canadian Experience Class applicants continue to receive the largest share of invitations. These groups typically include individuals already living or working in Canada, aligning with the federal government’s strategy to retain skilled workers within domestic labour markets.

Context and historical background

Express Entry manages applications for three main federal programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. It also facilitates invitations for candidates nominated under provincial programs.

Since its launch in 2015, the system has evolved to include targeted selection categories, improving responsiveness to labour demands and regional priorities. The introduction of language-based categories, such as for French speakers, supports broader immigration policy goals.

Looking ahead

While future draw dates are not announced in advance, IRCC’s recent activity suggests a continued focus on specific labour market categories. The combination of language, occupation, and nomination-based draws is expected to remain central to Canada’s economic immigration strategy through 2026.

For the latest verified updates on immigration draws, Express Entry trends, and provincial nomination programs, readers can follow ongoing coverage across Canadian immigration news channels.