Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued 5,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence in a July 9, 2026 Express Entry draw targeting candidates with French-language proficiency. Candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 420 and an Express Entry profile created before 8:04 a.m. UTC on May 15, 2026.
July 9 French-language Express Entry draw
The July 9 draw was the 37th Express Entry draw of 2026.
To be considered, candidates needed:
- French-language proficiency
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 420
- An Express Entry profile created before 8:04 a.m. UTC on May 15, 2026
This was the highest number of invitations issued in a French-language draw since March 4, 2026. It was also the highest cutoff score for this draw type since October 6, 2025.
Express Entry draws in 2026
IRCC has conducted 37 Express Entry draws in 2026. Draws this year have generally focused on candidates with Canadian work experience or provincial nominations.
Draws by type in 2026:
- Provincial Nominee Program: 13 draws
- Canadian Experience Class: 11 draws
- French-language proficiency: 7 draws
- Physicians with Canadian work experience: 2 draws
- Healthcare and social services: 2 draws
- Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience: 1 draw
- Trades: 1 draw
Invitations issued in 2026
IRCC has issued 96,601 invitations to apply across Express Entry draws in 2026.
Invitations by draw type:
- Canadian Experience Class: 43,250
- French-language proficiency: 35,500
- Healthcare and social services: 8,000
- Provincial Nominee Program: 5,939
- Trades: 3,000
- Physicians with Canadian work experience: 662
- Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience: 250
Recent 2026 draw results
Recent Express Entry draws include:
- July 9: French-language proficiency, CRS 420, 5,000 ITAs
- July 7: Canadian Experience Class, CRS 517, 2,000 ITAs
- July 6: Provincial Nominee Program, CRS 708, 534 ITAs
- June 25: Healthcare and social services, CRS 475, 4,000 ITAs
- June 24: Physicians with Canadian work experience, CRS 223, 271 ITAs
- June 23: Canadian Experience Class, CRS 516, 4,000 ITAs
- June 22: Provincial Nominee Program, CRS 730, 955 ITAs
- May 28: French-language proficiency, CRS 409, 4,500 ITAs
- April 29: French-language proficiency, CRS 400, 4,000 ITAs
- March 18: French-language proficiency, CRS 393, 4,000 ITAs
- March 4: French-language proficiency, CRS 397, 5,500 ITAs
- February 6: French-language proficiency, CRS 400, 8,500 ITAs
Practical implications
French-language proficiency remains one of the major Express Entry invitation categories in 2026, with 35,500 invitations issued so far. The July 9 draw shows continued high-volume selection for French-speaking candidates, but the CRS cutoff rose to 420, higher than recent French-language draws earlier in the year.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
