5,000 ITAs Issued in French Express Entry Draw As Cut-off Drops to 391

Key Takeaways

Type of draw: Category-based – French-Language Proficiency

Invitations issued: 5,000

Minimum CRS score: 391

Tie-breaking rule: March 18, 2026 at 23:32:40 UTC

Prediction for next draw: Provincial Nominee Program on August 17, 2026. Check our dedicated page for information on when we expect the next Express Entry draw.

Our Analysis of this Express Entry Draw

This is the ninth French-language draw of 2026, and the third in a row to invite 5,000 candidates. The minimum CRS score required to get an invitation to apply in today’s draw was 391.

Today’s draw comes just two weeks after the last French round on July 22, which had a cut-off of 399. This 8-point drop also puts today’s cut-off below the previous low for the year of 393. With today’s result, the 2026 range for French draws now runs from 391 to 420 — a 29-point range.

So far, French draw cut-offs have remained well below those for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws. This reinforces the advantage French-speaking candidates currently have in the Express Entry pool.

What Does This Mean for French-Language Draws?

French has remained the most active category-based draw of 2026. Today’s round is the ninth of the year, and the third straight round to invite 5,000 candidates.

With today’s draw, IRCC has issued 45,500 ITAs for the French-language category so far in 2026. This is already well above the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan target of 30,267 French-speaking permanent resident admissions outside Quebec.

Keeping processing times in mind, most candidates invited today will only receive a decision on their permanent residence application in 2027.

IRCC’s Francophone immigration commitments run through 2029, and the target for 2027 is higher, at 31,825. This means more French draws are expected before the year is out, though whether the recent pattern of consistent 5,000-ITA rounds and falling cut-offs continues will depend on how quickly new candidates enter the pool.

What Does This Mean for You?

If you received an ITA today, you have 60 days to prepare and submit a complete application for permanent residence.

If you did not receive an ITA, today’s cut-off is the most accessible French draws have been all year. It suggests that candidates with more modest CRS scores are increasingly getting invited through this category, so it may be worth checking where your own score falls before assuming you’re out of range. IRCC’s recent data on category-based selectionalso showed that many candidates who qualified for more than one categories ended up being invited under French draws in 2025.

If your score is below 391, there may still be room to improve it. Retaking a French test, either the TEF Canada or the TCF Canada, is often the fastest way to raise your score, since even a small gain in one ability can make a significant difference. If French is your first official language, maximizing your English language points can also boost your score.

If your language scores are maxed out, it may be worth exploring a provincial nomination, which adds 600 points to your CRS. Alternatively, a Francophone Mobility work permit can help you build Canadian work experience while you wait for your next opportunity.

More Resources for French Language Candidates

• Use our  online Express Entry CRS score calculator to see where you stand and how to improve your score.
• Learn more about the latest Express Entry draws. 
• Check the state of the Express Entry pool.