Canada Holds New Express Entry Draw for French-speaking Candidates

 The latest round took place on May 28, 2026, and invited 4,500 candidates to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

The draw comes just one day after a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) selection round and continues IRCC’s strong focus on category-based immigration draws in 2026. Compared to the previous French-language draw, the CRS requirement increased slightly, indicating that competition inside the pool remains active.

Latest Express Entry Draw Details

Draw Type	French-language proficiency
Date and time	May 28, 2026
Invitations Issued	4,500
Minimum CRS Score	409
Tie-Breaking Rule	April 29, 2026 at 10:20 p.m. UTC

According to IRCC, candidates who had a CRS score of 409 or higher and created their Express Entry profile before the tie-breaking date received invitations in this round.

CRS Score Increases in New French Draw

The previous French-language proficiency draw held on April 29, 2026, had a CRS cut-off score of 400. In the latest round, the requirement increased to 409.

Despite the rise, French-language category draws continue to maintain lower CRS requirements compared to many Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Program rounds. This has made French proficiency one of the strongest pathways for candidates looking to improve their chances of Canadian permanent residence.

Express Entry Draws Continue in May

The latest selection marks the 30th Express Entry draw conducted in 2026 and the fourth round held during May.

Throughout this year, IRCC has mainly focused on candidates with Canadian work experience, provincial nominations, and French-language abilities. The department has continued conducting targeted invitation rounds rather than large all-program draws.

Recent Express Entry Draws in 2026

Draw Categories Conducted in 2026

Draw Category	Number of Draws
Provincial Nominee Program	11
Canadian Experience Class	9
French-language proficiency	6
Trades	1
Healthcare and social services	1

French-language proficiency draws have become one of the biggest categories under Express Entry in 2026. Canada continues encouraging bilingual immigration as part of its long-term strategy to support labour shortages and strengthen Francophone communities outside Quebec.

Total ITAs Issued Through Express Entry in 2026

Draw Type	ITAs Issued
Canadian Experience Class	37,250
French-language proficiency	30,500
Provincial Nominee Program	4,450
Healthcare and social services	4,000
Trades	3,000

With almost 80,000 invitations already issued this year, Express Entry remains Canada’s primary pathway for skilled immigration applicants.

What This Means for Candidates

The latest draw once again highlights the major advantage French-speaking candidates currently have under the Express Entry system. Candidates with moderate CRS scores may still receive invitations if they can demonstrate strong French-language proficiency. Applicants looking to improve their CRS score can still benefit from:

• Higher language test scores
• Additional Canadian work experience
• Provincial nomination
• French-language proficiency
• Educational upgrades

As IRCC continues targeted category-based selections throughout 2026, many candidates are now focusing on French-language preparation as a strategy to improve their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply.

Conclusion

Canada’s latest Express Entry draw for French-speaking candidates shows that IRCC is continuing its strong focus on bilingual immigration in 2026. Although the CRS score increased to 409, the category still remains one of the more accessible pathways compared to several other Express Entry streams.

For many candidates inside and outside Canada, French-language proficiency is continuing to create new opportunities for permanent residence through Express Entry.

Need Help with Your Canada PR Process?

If you are planning to apply through Express Entry, keeping your profile updated and monitoring CRS trends is extremely important. Understanding category-based draws and improving your language profile can significantly increase your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply for Canadian permanent residence. You may call trusted immigration advisor at Visas Avenue on Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777 or you can drop us an e-mail at info@visasavenue.com.

- Rajneesh Kumar