Canada has once again reinforced its commitment to strengthening Francophone immigration outside Quebec through a large Express Entry draw focused on French-speaking candidates. In the latest round of invitations, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a French Language Proficiency category-based draw, inviting thousands of candidates with strong French skills.
On December 17, 2025, IRCC issued 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence under Ministerial Instructions #388. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 399, making this one of the most accessible Express Entry draws of the year for Francophone candidates.
Express Entry Draw Results, December 17, 2025
Program: French Language Proficiency (Version 1)
Number of Invitations Issued: 6,000
Minimum CRS Score: 399
Rank Required: 6,000 or above
Date & Time of Round: December 17, 2025 at 12:26:48 UTC
Tie-Breaking Rule: August 24, 2025 at 23:43:05 UTC
Under IRCC’s tie-breaking rule, candidates with a CRS score of 399 were invited only if they had submitted their Express Entry profile on or before August 24, 2025, at 23:43:05 UTC.
Why This French Language Proficiency Draw Is Important
French-language Express Entry draws are a key pillar of Canada’s immigration strategy, aimed at increasing Francophone communities outside Quebec. This draw helps to:
- Strengthen Francophone minority communities across Canada
- Address labour shortages in key sectors nationwide
- Promote linguistic diversity and bilingualism
- Create more accessible PR pathways for French-speaking candidates
- Support Canada’s long-term demographic and economic goals
With a relatively low CRS cut-off of 399, this draw highlights the strong advantage given to candidates who demonstrate high French language proficiency.
Express Entry Snapshot, French Language Proficiency
| Draw Date | Invitations Issued | Minimum CRS Score |
|---|---|---|
| December 17, 2025 | 6,000 | 399 |
This round underscores IRCC’s continued reliance on category-based selection to meet targeted immigration objectives and attract skilled French-speaking talent from around the world.
🎉 Congratulations to the 6,000 candidates who received invitations!
Your French language skills have brought you one step closer to becoming a Canadian permanent resident.
