Canada's immigration authority issued 5,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence to French-language Express Entry candidates on July 22, 2026, with a minimum CRS score of 399 — the lowest cut-off for this category since March 2026 and a strong signal that francophone talent pipelines are open wider than at any point this year.
Draw #41 of 2026: The Details
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the French-language category-based Express Entry draw on July 22, 2026, with the following parameters:
- Invitations issued: 5,000
- Minimum CRS score: 399
- Draw type: Category-based — French-language proficiency
- Profile creation deadline: Candidates needed active profiles created before November 19, 2025
- Draw number: Draw #41 of 2026
The CRS 399 cut-off is notably accessible. For context, general all-program Express Entry draws in 2026 have been cutting off in the 490–520 range — meaning French-speaking candidates with scores far below the general pool threshold are actively receiving permanent residence offers.
Who This Affects
The French-language category uses Express Entry's category-based selection mechanism, introduced in 2023, which allows IRCC to issue invitations based on specific skills or characteristics rather than raw CRS points. Candidates qualify for French-language draws by demonstrating at least CLB 7 (Canadian Language Benchmark level 7) in French across all four skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking), with either:
- A valid Canadian Language Benchmark score in both French and English, or
- A French-only language score (with English scores below CLB 5 acceptable)
Eligible occupations span the full Express Entry pool — Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades — provided the French language requirement is met.
What HR and Mobility Teams Should Know
For organisations with francophone talent — whether employees from France, Belgium, Switzerland, West Africa, Québec, or other French-speaking regions — this draw has immediate practical relevance:
Current permit holders are in the best position
Francophone employees already working in Canada on Temporary Foreign Worker Program or International Mobility Program permits and holding Express Entry profiles with CRS scores near or above 399 may be receiving ITAs right now. Employers should ensure these employees' profiles are current and their language test scores are valid.
Language test validity
IELTS, CELPIP, and TEF Canada scores are only valid for two years for Express Entry purposes. Any francophone candidate whose language scores are approaching expiry should re-test before their profile expires.
Profile completion
IRCC issues ITAs only to candidates with complete, active profiles. HR teams supporting francophone employees on Canadian work permits should ensure their Express Entry profiles are fully built out — with educational credential assessments (ECA) completed and National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes confirmed.
Future draws
IRCC has been consistent about running French-language draws throughout 2026. At a CRS cut-off of 399, the accessible score range is wider than it has been in months — making now the right time for eligible francophone employees to build or update their profiles.
At xpath.global, our Canadian immigration specialists support employers with end-to-end work permit and permanent residence advisory — including Express Entry profile strategy, French-language pathway assessment, and LMIA planning.
Our Canada specialists can assess Express Entry eligibility, validate French-language pathway requirements and manage work permit to permanent residence transitions.
Talk to our Canada teamSources: CIC News / CanadaVisa Media — July 22, 2026; IRCC Rounds of Invitations (canada.ca).
xpath.global Editorial Team — July 2026
