Canada Holds New Express Entry Draw for French-Speaking Applicants
Canada Invites French-Speaking Candidates
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted another Express Entry draw, inviting 5,000 candidates with strong French-language skills to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence (PR).
This time, the draw once again highlights Canada’s continued focus on welcoming French-speaking immigrants, especially those planning to settle outside Quebec.
Key Highlights of the Latest Draw
On August 6, 2026, IRCC issued:
- Draw Type: French-Language Proficiency
- Invitations Issued (ITAs): 5,000
- Minimum CRS Score: 391
- Profile Submission Deadline: Candidates must have created their Express Entry profile before March 18, 2026, at 11:32 p.m. UTC.
Additionally, if multiple candidates had the same CRS score of 391, IRCC used the tie-breaking rule. Therefore, only candidates who submitted their Express Entry profile before the specified date and time received an invitation.
Why Is This Draw Important?
Notably, the CRS cut-off score of 391 is the lowest seen in a French-language draw since March 2025.
As a result, more French-speaking candidates became eligible to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Permanent Residence.
Furthermore, this draw reflects Canada’s ongoing commitment to increasing Francophone immigration outside Quebec.
Recent Express Entry Draws
Meanwhile, IRCC has conducted three different Express Entry draws in just three consecutive days.
| Date | Draw Type | CRS Score | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 6, 2026 | French-Language Proficiency | 391 | 5,000 |
| August 5, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 516 | 3,000 |
| August 4, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 768 | 507 |
Together, these draws show that IRCC continues to invite candidates through multiple immigration categories based on Canada’s labour market requirements.
Express Entry Trends in 2026
So far, IRCC has conducted 45 Express Entry draws in 2026.
Moreover, most invitations have been issued to candidates who already have strong connections to Canada.
These include:
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) applicants
- French-speaking candidates
- Healthcare professionals
- Skilled trades workers
- Physicians
- Senior managers with Canadian work experience
- Skilled military recruits
Overall, Canada’s Express Entry system continues to prioritize candidates who can quickly contribute to the country’s workforce.
Number of Draws Held in 2026
The table below shows how many draws have been conducted under each category this year.
| Draw Category | Number of Draws |
|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 15 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 13 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 9 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 2 |
| Healthcare & Social Services | 2 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 2 |
| Trades | 1 |
| Skilled Military Recruits | 1 |
Clearly, Provincial Nominee Program, Canadian Experience Class, and French-language draws remain the three most frequently conducted categories in 2026.
More Than 113,000 Invitations Issued This Year
As of August 2026, IRCC has issued 113,123 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system.
The distribution is as follows:
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 48,250 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 45,500 |
| Healthcare & Social Services | 8,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 6,957 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 750 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 662 |
| Skilled Military Recruits | 4 |
In fact, Canadian Experience Class and French-language draws together account for the majority of invitations issued this year.
Similarly, healthcare draws have also received a significant number of invitations to address Canada’s labour shortages.
What Does This Mean for Express Entry Applicants?
If you are planning to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry, then this latest draw sends a positive message.
Firstly, candidates with strong French-language proficiency continue to enjoy a competitive advantage, even with lower CRS scores.
Secondly, applicants with Canadian work experience remain among IRCC’s highest priorities.
In addition, candidates who receive a Provincial Nominee Program nomination significantly improve their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply.
Therefore, improving your French language score, gaining Canadian work experience, or securing a provincial nomination can greatly strengthen your Express Entry profile.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the latest Express Entry draw demonstrates Canada’s continued commitment to attracting skilled workers who can contribute to the country’s economy and support French-speaking communities outside Quebec.
With 5,000 invitations issued and a CRS cut-off score of just 391, this draw presents an excellent opportunity for eligible French-speaking candidates.
Finally, as Express Entry draws continue throughout 2026, staying informed, improving your profile, and preparing your documents in advance can significantly increase your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply for Canadian Permanent Residence.
Get in touch with SPS Global
Receive advice on any of your questions regarding immigration. Get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Global. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).
