Ottawa: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued a fresh round of Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency through the Express Entry system. In a category-based draw specifically targeting candidates with French language proficiency, the department invited 5,500 applicants.
To be eligible for this selection, candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 397. This draw represents a significant opportunity for Francophone speakers, as the cut-off score is notably lower than recent general or program-specific draws.
This marks the 13th Express Entry draw of 2026. So far this year, Canada’s immigration policy has shifted its focus heavily toward in-country applicants, particularly those with provincial nominations and Canadian work experience. While only four draws have been held specifically for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) this year, CEC candidates have received the highest volume of ITAs compared to any other category.
As of today, IRCC has issued a total of 39,112 ITAs in 2026, continuing its strategic efforts to meet the nation’s labor market needs and strengthen Francophone communities outside of Quebec.
