French Language Proficiency Express Entry Draw #382 Invites 6,000 Candidates on November 28, 2025

Key Takeaways for Express Entry Candidates from the November 28, 2025 Draw 

• Type of draw: French language proficiency (Version 1) 

• Invitations issued: 6,000 

• CRS score: 408 

• Rank needed: 6,000 or above 

• Tie-breaking rule: May 26, 2025 at 12:28:38 UTC 

• Prediction for next draw: A PNP draw is expected next on December 8th 

Our Analysis of This Express Entry Draw 

The November 28 French-language draw invited 6,000 candidates with a CRS cut-off of 408, making it one of the largest category-based draws we’ve seen this year. Today’s draw comes in at the same size as the October 29 round, keeping French-language draws among the biggest category-based selections this year. 

When you look at the pattern, the trend becomes pretty obvious. The most recent French draws this year invited: 

• 6,000 candidates on October 29 (CRS 416)

• 4,500 candidates on October 6 (CRS 432)

• 4,500 candidates on September 4 (CRS 446) 

Today’s cut-off of 408 is the lowest French score since March, when a huge round invited 7,500 candidates at CRS 379. While we’re not quite back to March’s dramatic low, 408 is still a meaningful drop, lower than the last two French rounds (416 and 432) and well below September’s 446, creating real movement at the lower end of the competitive French-speaking pool and delivering the kind of shift many candidates have been waiting for. 

Draw landing the day after a major French immigration announcement 

The timing of today’s draw is interesting. Just yesterday, IRCC announced a $3.6 million investment in Francophone communities through the Francophone Immigration Support Program (FISP). The message was clear that Canada wants to grow its French-speaking population outside Quebec, support minority communities, and respond to labour shortages in sectors like healthcare, early childhood, and education. 

IRCC also reaffirmed its future targets for French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec: 

• 9% in 2026 

• 9.5% in 2027 

• 10.5% in 2028 

If you were wondering whether category-based French draws were going to slow down, today is your answer. The policy direction and draw patterns are clearly aligned. 

How does this compare to other draw types this year?

French-language draws continue to be one of the largest category-based rounds in Express Entry, often ranging from 4,500 to 7,500 invitations (with one draw at 2,500 ITAs issued). By comparison: 

• PNP draws usually stay in the 200–800 range

• CEC draws tend to sit at 1,000

• Trades and other occupation-based draws range between 1,250 and 2,500 

In terms of size and impact, French-language draws continue to shape the mid-range CRS distribution in a big way, especially in the 380–450 band. 

What This Draw Means for French-Speaking Candidates 

A cut-off of 408 offers meaningful hope to French-speaking candidates sitting anywhere from the high 300s to low 400s. With Canada’s renewed emphasis on French-language immigration and the multi-year funding commitments announced yesterday, we’re likely to see: 

• more regular French-language draws

• continued large round sizes

• ongoing pressure on scores to remain on the lower side 

French-speaking candidates with strong work experience, Canadian ties, or a competitive education profile may want to update their Express Entry profiles. 

Further Resources for French Language Candidates 

For more information: 

• Learn more about the latest Express Entry draws. 

• Learn more about the state of the Express Entry pool. 

• Learn when to expect the next Express Entry draw. 

Use our online Express Entry CRS calculator to learn more about your current score and how to improve it.