Canada continues to expand opportunities for French-speaking immigrants through targeted Express Entry draws. In the latest round, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited thousands of candidates under the French-language proficiency category, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening Francophone communities across the country.

On March 4, 2026, IRCC issued 5,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence under Ministerial Instructions #401. Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 397 to receive an invitation.

Express Entry Draw Results – March 4, 2026

Category: French-Language Proficiency
Number of Invitations Issued: 5,500
Minimum CRS Score: 397
Rank Required: 5,500 or above
Date & Time of Round: March 4, 2026 at 18:18:20 UTC
Tie-Breaking Rule: October 10, 2025 at 18:18:20 UTC

Under the tie-breaking rule, candidates with a CRS score of 397 were invited only if they had submitted their Express Entry profiles on or before October 10, 2025, at 18:18:20 UTC.

If multiple candidates had the lowest CRS score, the cut-off was determined based on the date and time their profiles were submitted.

Why This French-Language Draw Matters

French-language proficiency draws are part of Canada’s strategy to increase Francophone immigration outside Quebec. These targeted rounds help attract skilled workers who can contribute to bilingual communities and support economic growth.

This latest draw helps to:

  • Strengthen Francophone communities across Canada
  • Support labour market needs in bilingual regions
  • Advance Canada’s Francophone immigration targets for 2026
  • Provide additional pathways to permanent residence for French-speaking candidates

Express Entry Snapshot (French-Language Proficiency)

Draw Date: March 4, 2026
Invitations Issued: 5,500
Minimum CRS Score: 397

This round highlights IRCC’s continued focus on attracting French-speaking skilled workers through the Express Entry system. With 5,500 invitations issued, it represents one of the largest category-based draws for French-language proficiency in 2026.

🎉 Congratulations to the 5,500 candidates who received Invitations to Apply!

For candidates with strong French language skills, category-based draws like this provide an important pathway to Canadian permanent residence in 2026.