The immigration department Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply (ITAs) under the Express Entry system on 22 July 2026. This draw targeted candidates with French‑language proficiency and set the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut‑off at 399, the lowest level for this draw type since March 2026. A total of 5,000 ITAs were allocated.
Eligibility for the July 22 draw
- Minimum CRS score: 399
- Candidates had to create an Express Entry profile by 21 Nov 2025 09:21 UTC
Recent French‑language draws (2026)
| Date | CRS cut‑off | ITAs issued |
|---|---|---|
| 22 July | 399 | 5,000 |
| 9 July | 420 | 5,000 |
| 28 April | 400 | 4,000 |
| 15 April | 419 | 4,000 |
| 4 March | 397 | 5,500 |
| 18 March | 393 | 4,000 |
| 6 February | 400 | 8,500 |
| 2 March | 400 | 8,500 |
Overall Express Entry activity in 2026 (to date)
IRCC has conducted 41 selection rounds across several categories, issuing a total of 104,612 ITAs:
| Draw type | ITAs issued |
|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class | 45,250 |
| French‑Language proficiency | 40,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 6,450 |
| Healthcare and social services | 8,000 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 662 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 750 |
Distribution of draw types in 2026
| Draw type | Number of draws |
|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program | 14 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 12 |
| French‑Language proficiency | 8 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 2 |
| Healthcare and social services | 2 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 2 |
| Trades | 1 |
Key points for prospective applicants
- A CRS score of 399 is now sufficient for French‑language draws, but candidates must meet the profile‑creation deadline.
- French‑language draws have become more competitive, with the cut‑off fluctuating between 393 and 420 throughout the year.
- The majority of ITAs continue to be allocated to the Canadian Experience Class and French‑language categories, reflecting IRCC’s focus on candidates with Canadian work experience and language skills.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
