On March 18, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a Category-based draw targeting French-language proficiency. This draw issued 4,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 393 or higher. This draw marked a record-low threshold for the lowest CRS Form. The IRCC has now invited 53,224 Express Entry candidates in 2026.
- Draw Type: French-Language Proficiency - This means the candidates must have French-language test results showing a minimum score of 7 in all 4 language abilities on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens and meet all the requirements in the instructions for that round.
- Draw Date: March 18, 2026
- Invitations Issued: 4,000
- Minimum CRS Score: 393
- Tie-breaking Date: December 29, 2025, at 12:47:31 UTC. This means that candidates with a score of 393 were invited to apply if they had submitted their Express Entry profile before the timestamp.
The category-based selection invites candidates in the Express Entry pool who are eligible for a specific category established by the Minister to meet an identified economic goal. Candidates can apply for permanent residence based on criteria such as:
- Ability to communicate in a specific official language
- Work experience in a specific occupation
- Education
These express entry rounds add to general and program-specific rounds by inviting top-ranking candidates who can help us meet these specific economic goals. Full eligibility details will be available in the instructions for each round.
If you have any questions about Express Entry, Permanent Residency, or other Canadian immigration programs, please contact us to schedule a Legal Strategy Session with one of our highly trained legal professionals.
