Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued another round of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system.
The latest draw focused on candidates with French-language skills. IRCC issued 5,000 ITAs to eligible candidates who met the requirements for the draw.
Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 382 to receive an invitation. They also needed to have created their Express Entry profile before 6:34 p.m. UTC on March 1, 2026.
The latest draw marks a notable drop in the CRS score for French-language candidates and gives more candidates with strong French skills an opportunity to apply for permanent residence.
Summary Of Express Entry Draws
| Date | Draw Type | CRS Cut-Off Score | ITAs Issued |
| August 19 | French-Language proficiency | 382 | 5,000 |
| August 18 | Canadian Experience Class | 523 | 1,000 |
| August 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 760 | 442 |
| August 7 | Transport | 470 | 300 |
| August 6 | French-Language proficiency | 391 | 5,000 |
| August 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 3,000 |
| August 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 768 | 507 |
| July 23 | Skilled Military Recruits | 368 | 4 |
| July 22 | French-Language proficiency | 399 | 5,000 |
| July 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 2,000 |
| July 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 744 | 511 |
| July 10 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 392 | 500 |
| July 9 | French-Language proficiency | 420 | 5,000 |
| July 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 517 | 2,000 |
| July 6 | Provincial Nominee Program | 708 | 534 |
| June 25 | Healthcare and social services | 475 | 4,000 |
| June 24 | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 223 | 271 |
| June 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 4,000 |
| June 22 | Provincial Nominee Program | 730 | 955 |
| May 28 | French-Language proficiency | 409 | 4,500 |
| May 27 | Canadian Experience Class | 518 | 3,000 |
| May 25 | Provincial Nominee Program | 805 | 334 |
| May 11 | Provincial Nominee Program | 798 | 380 |
| April 29 | French-Language proficiency | 400 | 4,000 |
| April 28 | Canadian Experience Class | 514 | 2,000 |
| April 27 | Provincial Nominee Program | 795 | 473 |
| April 15 | French-Language proficiency | 419 | 4,000 |
| April 14 | Canadian Experience Class | 515 | 2,000 |
| April 13 | Provincial Nominee Program | 786 | 324 |
| April 2 | Trades | 477 | 3,000 |
| March 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 2,250 |
| March 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 802 | 356 |
| March 18 | French-Language proficiency | 393 | 4,000 |
| March 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 507 | 4,000 |
| March 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 742 | 362 |
| March 5 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 429 | 250 |
| 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 |
The latest French-language draw had a CRS cutoff that was nine points lower than the previous French-language draw held on August 6.
With a cutoff of 382, this draw recorded the lowest CRS score for a French-language Express Entry draw since March 2025.
The latest selection is also the 49th Express Entry draw held by IRCC in 2026. The department has continued to use category-based draws to select candidates who meet specific immigration needs.
Express Entry Continues To Target Key Groups
Express Entry selections in 2026 have mainly focused on candidates who can support Canada’s current immigration goals.
Candidates with Canadian work experience and provincial nominations have received regular invitations. IRCC has also continued to invite candidates under categories such as French-language proficiency, healthcare, trades, transport and other targeted groups.
The latest draw adds another 5,000 French-speaking candidates to the number of people invited through the Express Entry system this year.
| Draw Type | Number Of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 16 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 14 |
| French-Language proficiency | 10 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 2 |
| Healthcare and social services | 2 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 2 |
| Trades | 1 |
| Transport | 1 |
| Skilled Military Recruits | 1 |
Express Entry Invitations Issued In 2026
IRCC has issued 119,865 ITAs through Express Entry draws during 2026 so far.
French-language candidates have received 50,500 invitations, making this one of the largest groups selected through the system this year.
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 49,250 |
| French-Language proficiency | 50,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 7,399 |
| Healthcare and social services | 8,000 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Transport | 300 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 662 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 750 |
| Skilled Military Recruits | 4 |
The latest draw shows that French-language skills continue to play an important role in Canada’s immigration plans.
The lower CRS cutoff may be positive news for French-speaking candidates who have been waiting for an opportunity to receive an ITA. A score of 382 is also much lower than the score seen in the previous French-language draw.
The latest selection also shows that IRCC is continuing to use category-based draws alongside Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Program selections.
French-speaking candidates who meet the required language and Express Entry conditions can enter the pool and compete for an ITA based on their CRS score and the requirements of future draws.
CWRVisa, a Canadian immigration leader, promises excellence and tailored pathways for your Canadian journey. Get in touch with us at CWRVisa.ca.