Express Entry Draw: 5,500 French-Speaking Candidates Invited at Lowest CRS Score in a Year

On March 4, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a massive Express Entry draw, continuing its heavy prioritization of bilingual immigration.

In this latest round, IRCC issued 5,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with demonstrated French-language proficiency. Most notably, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score plummeted to 397, marking the lowest score seen for this category in the past 12 months.

Here is a breakdown of the March 4 draw and what it means for Express Entry candidates looking to secure Canadian permanent residence.

March 4, 2026 Express Entry Draw Details

This draw targeted candidates exclusively under the French-language proficiency category.

• Draw Date: March 4, 2026

• Draw Type: French-Language Proficiency

• Invitations to Apply (ITAs) Issued: 5,500

• Minimum CRS Cut-Off Score: 397

• Tie-Breaking Rule: October 10, 2025, at 6:18 p.m. UTC. (Candidates who scored exactly 397 points were only invited if their Express Entry profile was submitted before this specific date and time).

Why a CRS of 397 is a Massive Opportunity

For the general Express Entry pool, a CRS score of 397 is typically not competitive. General and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws routinely require scores well above 500.

By lowering the cut-off to 397 for this specific draw, IRCC is making permanent residence highly accessible to a broader range of bilingual candidates. A candidate can realistically achieve a score of 397 even without Canadian work experience, a provincial nomination, or a LMIA-supported job offer—provided they score an NCLC 7 or higher on all four French language abilities (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).

This represents one of the most direct and attainable pathways to Canadian permanent residence currently available for overseas candidates.

2026 Trends: French Proficiency Remains a Top Priority

The March 4 draw is the thirteenth Express Entry selection of 2026 and the second dedicated entirely to French speakers.

IRCC has made it explicitly clear that increasing Francophone immigration outside of Quebec is a cornerstone of its 2026 mandate. So far this year, out of the over 44,000 ITAs issued across all categories, French-language candidates have received 14,000 ITAs. This makes French proficiency the second most targeted category of the year, trailing only behind the Canadian Experience Class (24,000 ITAs).

Actionable Advice for Candidates

If you received an ITA in the March 4 draw, you have exactly 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application. Ensure that your language test results are valid and that all documentation strictly aligns with the claims made in your Express Entry profile.

If you are currently in the Express Entry pool with a score hovering in the high 300s or 400s, this draw clearly outlines your best strategic move: learn or improve your French. Achieving an NCLC 7 in French not only opens the door to these massive, low-score targeted draws but also provides a substantial baseline boost to your overall CRS score, giving you a competitive edge across multiple immigration pathways.