Canada continues to expand pathways for French-speaking candidates through the Express Entry system, highlighting its commitment to strengthening Francophone communities outside Quebec. In the latest round of invitations, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a category-based draw focused on French-language proficiency.
On February 6, 2026, IRCC issued 8,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence under Ministerial Instructions #394. Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 400, making this one of the largest and most accessible French-language draws to date.
Express Entry Draw Results [ February 6, 2026 ]
Program: French-Language Proficiency (Category-based selection)
Number of Invitations Issued: 8,500
Minimum CRS Score: 400
Rank Required: 8,500 or above
Date & Time of Round: February 6, 2026 at 11:38:00 UTC
Tie-Breaking Rule: February 3, 2026 at 11:11:44 UTC
Under IRCC’s tie-breaking rule, candidates with a CRS score of 400 were invited only if they had submitted their Express Entry profiles on or before February 3, 2026, at 11:11:44 UTC.
Why This French-Language Draw Is Important
French-language proficiency draws remain a central part of Canada’s category-based selection strategy. These targeted rounds aim to support Francophone immigration and help address labour shortages across the country. This draw helps to:
- Increase the number of French-speaking newcomers outside Quebec
- Support bilingual labour market needs across provinces and territories
- Strengthen Francophone communities and cultural diversity
- Provide more opportunities for candidates with strong French skills and moderate CRS scores
Candidates with strong French-language ability can benefit from targeted Express Entry draws even without extremely high CRS scores, making this pathway increasingly important for skilled workers worldwide.
Express Entry Snapshot (French-Language Proficiency)
| Draw Date | Invitations Issued | Minimum CRS Score |
|---|---|---|
| February 6, 2026 | 8,500 | 400 |
This latest French-language proficiency draw highlights IRCC’s continued focus on category-based selection and its goal of welcoming more French-speaking immigrants to communities across Canada.
🎉 Congratulations to the 8,500 candidates who received Invitations to Apply!
If you are planning to apply through Express Entry and have strong French-language skills, category-based draws like this remain one of the most promising pathways to Canadian permanent residence.
