IRCC Holds French Express Entry Draw with Lowest CRS Score

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has issued invitations in the latest Express Entry draw for French-speaking candidates, recording the lowest CRS score of the year. This is the 17th draw of the year, and the third draw for candidates with French-language proficiency.

However, this Express Entry draw reflects Canada’s strategic effort to attract Francophone talent and address labour shortages, while expanding immigration pathways beyond traditional high-score thresholds.

In the past year, IRCC announced 9 draws for French speakers, inviting 48,000 skilled applicants to apply for Canada PR.

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Latest Express Entry Draw Results

Canada has released the latest Express Entry draw on March 18, 2026, inviting 4,000 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 393, marking a significant drop this year.

• Draw Number: #405
• Date of Round: March 18, 2026
• Type of Draw: French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2
• Number of ITAs Issued: 4,000
• CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate Invited: 393
• Tie-Breaking Rule: December 29, 2025, at 12:47:31 UTC

If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.

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Express Entry French- Language Summary of 2026

In 2026 so far, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has issued a total of 18,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through French-language Express Entry draws, with CRS scores steadily declining in recent rounds.

Why CRS Scores Are Dropping in French Express Entry Draws?

The decline in CRS scores in French Express Entry draws reflects Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s targeted strategy to boost Francophone immigration outside Quebec.

Canada has set clear goals to increase the number of French-speaking newcomers in minority Francophone communities, and the Federal skilled worker program category-based draws are helping achieve this by selecting candidates based on language ability rather than just high CRS scores.

Another key reason is the relatively smaller pool of candidates with strong French proficiency compared to the general or all-program draws. Since fewer candidates compete in this category, the CRS cut-off naturally drops, allowing more applicants with moderate scores to receive Invitations to Apply.

Additionally, Canada is addressing labour shortages by prioritizing skilled workers who can integrate into French-speaking regions. This approach balances economic needs with cultural and linguistic diversity goals.

As a result, French-language draws often have lower CRS thresholds, making them a strategic opportunity for candidates who may not qualify under higher-scoring general draws but have strong French-language skills.

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Source: canada.ca

Tags: Express Entry Express Entry Latest Draw Express Entry Program Canadian Experience Class Express Entry Draw Canada Immigration Federal Skilled Worker Program Latest Express Entry Draw Canada Immigration News