French-Language Express Entry Draw Hits Lowest CRS Cut-off Since March as IRCC Issues 5,000 More ITAs
IRCC's July 22 French-language Express Entry draw dropped its CRS cut-off to 399, the most accessible threshold for this category in four months, issuing 5,000 invitations.
Free Immigration Assessment
Complete our smart assessment form to check your eligibility for over 80+ Canadian immigration programs.
Key Takeaways
- On July 22, IRCC invited 5,000 Express Entry candidates with French-language ability, at a CRS cut-off of 399 — the lowest cut-off for this draw category since March 2026.
- Eligible candidates needed a CRS score of at least 399 and an Express Entry profile created before 9:21 p.m. UTC on November 19, 2025.
- This was IRCC's 41st Express Entry draw of 2026, bringing the year's total invitations to 104,612, with Canadian Experience Class and French-language draws accounting for the largest shares.
Another Round for French-Speaking Candidates
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held another Express Entry draw on July 22, issuing 5,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates with French-language proficiency. The cut-off Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this round was 399.
To qualify, candidates needed a CRS score of at least 399 and needed to have created their Express Entry profile before 9:21 p.m. Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on November 19, 2025.
Notably, the 399 cut-off is the lowest threshold IRCC has set for a French-language draw since March 2026, when a similar round used a cut-off of 393. That makes this the most accessible French-language round in roughly four months for candidates without a provincial nomination or a Canadian job offer boosting their score.
Recent Express Entry Draw History
The July 22 round continues a steady cadence of draws that has defined 2026 so far. Recent selections include:
| Date | Draw Type | CRS Cut-off Score | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 22 | French-Language Proficiency | 399 | 5,000 |
| July 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 2,000 |
| July 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 744 | 511 |
| July 10 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 392 | 500 |
| July 9 | French-Language Proficiency | 420 | 5,000 |
| July 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 517 | 2,000 |
| July 6 | Provincial Nominee Program | 708 | 534 |
| June 25 | Healthcare and Social Services | 475 | 4,000 |
| June 24 | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 223 | 271 |
| June 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 4,000 |
| June 22 | Provincial Nominee Program | 730 | 955 |
| May 28 | French-Language Proficiency | 409 | 4,500 |
| May 27 | Canadian Experience Class | 518 | 3,000 |
| May 25 | Provincial Nominee Program | 805 | 334 |
| May 11 | Provincial Nominee Program | 798 | 380 |
| April 29 | French-Language Proficiency | 400 | 4,000 |
| April 28 | Canadian Experience Class | 514 | 2,000 |
| April 27 | Provincial Nominee Program | 795 | 473 |
| April 15 | French-Language Proficiency | 419 | 4,000 |
| April 14 | Canadian Experience Class | 515 | 2,000 |
| April 13 | Provincial Nominee Program | 786 | 324 |
| April 2 | Trades | 477 | 3,000 |
| March 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 2,250 |
| March 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 802 | 356 |
| 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 |
2026 Selections by the Numbers
The July 22 invitation round marks IRCC's 41st Express Entry draw of 2026. Two candidate categories have dominated the year's selections: those with Canadian work experience and those holding a provincial nomination.
| Draw Type | Number of Draws in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program | 14 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 12 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 8 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 2 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 2 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 2 |
| Trades | 1 |
In total, IRCC has issued 104,612 ITAs across all categories so far in 2026:
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class | 45,250 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 40,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 6,450 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 8,000 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 662 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 750 |
What This Means for Applicants
A CRS cut-off of 399 makes the July 22 round the most attainable French-language draw since March 2026, giving candidates with strong French-language test results but modest core CRS scores a realistic shot at an invitation. With French-language draws already accounting for 40,500 of the year's 104,612 ITAs — second only to the Canadian Experience Class category — candidates who have completed a recognized French-language test and meet the score threshold should keep their Express Entry profiles active and up to date, since IRCC has repeatedly prioritized this category throughout 2026.
Free Immigration Assessment
Complete our smart assessment form to check your eligibility for over 80+ Canadian immigration programs.
Last Updated:
