Canada’s immigration department issued a fourth Express Entry draw in May that targeted French‑speaking candidates. The draw, held on 28 May 2026, invited 4,500 applicants with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 409 to apply for permanent residence. To be eligible, candidates had to have created an Express Entry profile before 10:20 p.m. UTC on 29 April 2026.
Key details of the May 28 draw
| Criterion |
Requirement |
| Draw type |
French‑Language proficiency |
| CRS cut‑off |
409 |
| ITAs issued |
4,500 |
| Profile deadline |
10:20 p.m. UTC, 29 April 2026 |
Express Entry draw activity in 2026 (selected draws)
| Date |
Draw type |
CRS cut‑off |
ITAs issued |
| 28 May |
French‑Language proficiency |
409 |
4,500 |
| 27 May |
Canadian Experience Class |
518 |
3,000 |
| 25 May |
Provincial Nominee Program |
805 |
334 |
| 11 May |
Provincial Nominee Program |
798 |
380 |
| 29 Apr |
French‑Language proficiency |
400 |
4,000 |
| 28 Apr |
Canadian Experience Class |
514 |
2,000 |
| 27 Apr |
Provincial Nominee Program |
795 |
473 |
| 15 Apr |
French‑Language proficiency |
419 |
4,000 |
| 14 Apr |
Canadian Experience Class |
515 |
2,000 |
| 13 Apr |
Provincial Nominee Program |
786 |
324 |
| 2 Apr |
Trades |
477 |
3,000 |
| 31 Mar |
Canadian Experience Class |
509 |
2,250 |
| 30 Mar |
Provincial Nominee Program |
802 |
356 |
| 18 Mar |
French‑Language proficiency |
393 |
4,000 |
| 17 Mar |
Canadian Experience Class |
507 |
4,000 |
| 16 Mar |
Provincial Nominee Program |
742 |
362 |
| 5 Mar |
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience |
429 |
250 |
| 4 Mar |
French‑Language proficiency |
397 |
5,500 |
| 3 Mar |
Canadian Experience Class |
508 |
4,000 |
| 2 Mar |
Provincial Nominee Program |
710 |
264 |
| 20 Feb |
Healthcare and social services |
467 |
4,000 |
| 19 Feb |
Physicians with Canadian work experience |
169 |
391 |
| 17 Feb |
Canadian Experience Class |
508 |
6,000 |
| 16 Feb |
Provincial Nominee Program |
789 |
279 |
| 6 Feb |
French‑Language proficiency |
400 |
8,500 |
| 3 Feb |
Provincial Nominee Program |
749 |
423 |
| 21 Jan |
Canadian Experience Class |
509 |
6,000 |
| 20 Jan |
Provincial Nominee Program |
746 |
681 |
| 7 Jan |
Canadian Experience Class |
511 |
8,000 |
| 5 Jan |
Provincial Nominee Program |
711 |
574 |
Overall 2026 statistics (to date)
- Total ITAs issued: 79,841
- Breakdown by draw type:
| Draw type |
ITAs issued |
| Canadian Experience Class |
37,250 |
| French‑Language proficiency |
30,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program |
4,450 |
| Healthcare and social services |
4,000 |
| Trades |
3,000 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience |
391 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience |
250 |
Context and implications
- The higher CRS cut‑off for French‑speaking candidates (409) reflects IRRC’s continued emphasis on attracting francophone immigrants, who historically receive lower invitation numbers.
- This draw follows a pattern in 2026 of prioritising candidates already in Canada, especially those with provincial nominations or Canadian work experience.
- Prospective applicants with strong French language skills should ensure their CRS scores meet or exceed the 409 threshold and that their profiles are submitted well before the deadline to be considered in future French‑language draws.
