Express Entry: Canada Invites 5,500 French Speakers in Latest Draw

Canada has invited thousands of immigration candidates to apply for permanent residence through its Express Entry system. Immigration officials issued 5,500 invitations during the latest draw focused on candidates who can speak French.

The selection took place on March 4, 2026. It marked one of the largest draws for French-speaking candidates this year and featured the lowest score requirement in more than a year for this category.

Lowest Score for French Category in Over a Year

Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 397 to qualify for the draw. They also had to create their Express Entry profile before 6:18 p.m. UTC on October 10, 2025.

The CRS score helps the immigration department rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. The system evaluates factors such as age, education, language ability, and work experience.

The latest draw set the lowest CRS score seen for French-language candidates in over a year. Among all draws held in the past year, only one event recorded a lower score. That earlier draw focused on physicians who already had work experience in Canada.

Canada Continues Multiple Draws in 2026

The March 4 draw marked the second time this year that immigration officials selected candidates under the French-language category. It also became the thirteenth Express Entry draw held in 2026 so far.

Canada’s immigration department has run several different types of selections throughout the year. These draws focus on various groups of candidates depending on government priorities.

So far in 2026, the department has held draws for the Provincial Nominee Program, the Canadian Experience Class, healthcare workers, physicians with Canadian experience, and French-speaking candidates.

The government has organized the draws in the following numbers this year:

• Provincial Nominee Program: five draws
  
• Canadian Experience Class: four draws
  
• French-language proficiency: two draws
  
• Physicians with Canadian work experience: one draw
  
• Healthcare and social services: one draw

Strong Demand for French-Speaking Candidates

Although officials have held only two French-language draws this year, these selections have already produced a large number of invitations.

French-speaking candidates have received 14,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence so far in 2026. This total ranks second among all Express Entry categories this year.

Canada often gives priority to candidates who speak French because the country continues efforts to strengthen French-speaking communities outside Quebec.

More Than 39,000 Invitations Issued in 2026

Canada’s immigration department has issued a significant number of invitations across all Express Entry categories in 2026.

So far this year, the government has sent out 39,112 invitations through different types of draws.

Most invitations have gone to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class, which targets people who already have work experience in Canada. This category alone has produced 24,000 invitations.

French-language candidates have received the second-highest number of invitations with 14,000.

Other selections have included 4,000 invitations for healthcare and social services workers. Provincial nominee candidates have received 1,798 invitations, while physicians with Canadian work experience have received 391.

Continued Focus on Candidates in Canada

The pattern of draws this year shows a strong focus on candidates already living and working in Canada.

Many of the selections have targeted people who have Canadian work experience or provincial nominations from provinces seeking skilled workers.

The recent French-language draw adds another pathway for skilled individuals who can contribute to Canada’s workforce and support French-speaking communities across the country.