IRCC Issues 5,000 ITAs in French Express Entry Draw After 8-Week Gap

Key Takeaways

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

Invitations issued: 5,000

Minimum CRS score: 435

Tie-breaking rule:  October 06, 2026 at 21:31:22 UTC

Prediction for next draw: Provincial Nominee Program draw on October 26. Check our dedicated page for more on when we’re expecting the next Express Entry draw.

Our Analysis of this Express Entry Draw

IRCC issued 5,000 ITAs in today’s French-language proficiency draw, with a minimum CRS score requirement of 435.

This is the eleventh French-language draw of 2026 and brings the total number of ITAs issued through the French category this year to 55,500.

French-language draws have been a mainstay in Express Entry this year. However, today’s draw comes nearly two months after the previous French draw on August 19, breaking the bi-weekly pattern we had seen since July.

The eight-week gap between draws pushed the CRS cut-off to 435. With more time between French draws, more eligible candidates were able to enter the pool or improve their scores. IRCC still issued 5,000 ITAs, but the longer wait meant more competition for those invitations.

The cut-off for French draws touched the previous 2026 high of 420 in the July 9 draw, which came after a six-week gap. Today’s cut-off was 15 points higher than that.

The lowest French cut-off so far this year has been 382, in the August 19 draw.

French-draws have remained large all year, ranging between 4,000 ITAs (March 18, April 15, April 29) and 8,500 ITAs (February 6). Today’s draw stayed within that established range.

What Does This Mean for French-Language Express Entry Draws?

French-language draws are now nearly head-to-head with Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws in terms of ITAs issued in 2026.

So far this year, IRCC has issued 57,750 ITAs through CEC draws. With today’s 5,000 invitations, French-language draws have now issued 55,500 ITAs, putting them 2,250 invitations behind CEC.

In fact, as of today’s draw, French category ITAs now account for approximately 38.6 percent of all Express Entry ITAs issued in 2026.

French-language draws have also consistently opened the door to candidates with much lower CRS scores. While French cut-offs have ranged from 382 to 420 in 2026, CEC cut-offs have remained considerably higher, between 507 and 523.

This combination of high invitation numbers and lower CRS cut-offs has made French-language ability one of the biggest advantages available to Express Entry candidates in 2026.

There is also a longer-term reason to expect French-language immigration to remain important.

Canada’s current Immigration Levels Plan targets 30,267 French-speaking permanent resident admissions outside Quebec in 2026, increasing to 31,825 in 2027 and 35,175 in 2028. The federal government has also committed to increasing Francophone admissions outside Quebec to 12 percent of permanent resident admissions by 2029.

Express Entry is one of the main tools IRCC is using to work toward those targets.

This does not guarantee that French draws will continue at the same frequency or size. However, the government’s rising Francophone immigration targets suggest French-language candidates will continue to play an important role in economic immigration over the coming years.

With processing times under Express Entry currently standing at six to seven months, it is safe to assume that all ITAs issued after the mid-year mark will count towards the 2027 target. This means 25,000 ITAs have already been issued towards the 2027 Francophone admissions target of 31,825.

Does this mean IRCC will stop issuing French ITAs soon? Probably not. One reason is that the 2027 target isn’t set in stone. The Immigrations Level Plan for 2027 to 2029 will be released by early November and could very well change the French admissions target.

Another reason is that all ITAs do not result in admissions. In fact, as our in-house number-cruncher and spreadsheet-lover, Dane, found in his recent analysis of approval rates using data shared by RCIC Oleg Schindler, refusal rates for Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) applications have increased significantly. This increase in refusals has likely been driven by French-language category applicants.

What Does This Mean for French-Speaking Candidates?

To qualify for French-language category-based draws, you need at least NCLC 7 in all four language abilities on an approved French test, either TEF Canada or TCF Canada. You also need to meet the minimum eligibility requirements for the CEC, FSW, or Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) to enter the Express Entry pool.

If you meet these requirements, French-language proficiency can give you a significant advantage in Express Entry. French has been one of IRCC’s most frequently used categories in 2026, with large draws taking place throughout the year.

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

If your CRS score is below the current range for French draws, there are several ways you may be able to improve your CRS score:

• Retake an approved French test to improve your NCLC scores.
• Improve your English-language results.
• Gain additional eligible Canadian or foreign work experience.
• Complete an eligible educational credential.
• Maximize available spousal factor points, where applicable.
• Explore Provincial Nominee Programs. An Express Entry-aligned provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points.

If you are not yet at the NCLC 7 threshold or want to gain more Canadian work experience before receiving an ITA, you could also explore whether you qualify for a Francophone Mobility work permit.

More Resources for French-Language Candidates

• Learn more about the latest Express Entry draws.
• Check the current state of the Express Entry pool.
• Use our online Express Entry CRS calculator to calculate your score and see where you may be able to gain additional points.