Canada invites Express Entry candidates in a new draw, i.e., Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued a new round of invitations through the Express Entry system.
In the latest draw, the department invited 5,500 candidates who have strong French-language proficiency to apply for permanent residence.
To be considered in this round, candidates needed to meet the following requirements:
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 397
- An Express Entry profile created before 6:18 p.m. Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on October 10, 2025
This draw recorded one of the lowest CRS cut-off scores in more than a year for the French-language category. The only draw in the past year with a lower score was the selection round for physicians with Canadian work experience.
Overview Of Express Entry Draws In 2026
| Draw Date | Draw Type | CRS Cut-Off Score | ITAs Issued |
| March 4 | French-Language proficiency | 397 | 5,500 |
| March 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 4,000 |
| March 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 710 | 264 |
| February 20 | Healthcare and social services | 467 | 4,000 |
| February 19 | Physicians with Canadian work experience | 169 | 391 |
| February 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 6,000 |
| February 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 279 |
| 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 |
This is the second French-language category-based draw of 2026 and the thirteenth Express Entry draw held this year.
So far in 2026, Canada’s immigration department has mainly focused on candidates who are already living and working in the country. Many draws have targeted applicants with Canadian work experience or provincial nominations.
Express Entry Draw Distribution In 2026
| Draw Type | Number Of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 5 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 4 |
| French-Language proficiency | 2 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 1 |
| Healthcare and social services | 1 |
Even though only two French-language draws have taken place this year, they have already issued a large number of invitations.
Candidates in the French-language category have received 14,000 invitations so far, making it the second-largest category for invitations in 2026.
Total Invitations Issued In 2026
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 24,000 |
| French-Language proficiency | 14,000 |
| Healthcare and social services | 4,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 1,798 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 391 |
Overall, IRCC has issued 39,112 invitations to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry in 2026 so far. The continued focus on targeted draws shows Canada’s effort to select candidates who match the country’s labour market needs and immigration priorities.
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