Express Entry’s latest category draw sees cut-off score dip below 400
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued more invitations to apply (ITA) through the Express Entry system.
The immigration department issued 4,000 ITAs in a draw for candidates with French language proficiency.
To be considered in this draw, candidates needed to have
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 393; and
- Created an Express Entry candidate profile before 12:47 p.m., Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on December 29, 2025.
See how competitive your Express Entry profile is
Summary of Express Entry draws in 2026
| Draw date | Draw Type | CRS cut-off score | ITAs issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Today's draw is the seventeenth Express Entry selection of 2026, and the third draw for candidates with French-language proficiency.
Despite being only the third French draw, this category has already received 18,000 ITAs this year, putting it only behind the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw in terms of total invitation issuances.
Express Entry draws in 2026 have seen Canada's immigration department focus largely on immigration candidates within the country, particularly those with provincial nominations and Canadian work experience.
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program | 6 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 5 |
| French-Language proficiency | 3 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 1 |
| Healthcare and social services | 1 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 1 |
In 2026 thus far, IRCC has issued 53,604 ITAs across the following draw types:
| Draw type | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class | 28,000 |
| French-Language proficiency | 18,000 |
| Healthcare and social services | 4,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 2,583 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 391 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 250 |
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