BREAKING: Express Entry French Draw Sees CRS Cut-Off Plunge Below 400
Executive Summary: March 18 Express Entry Draw
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues its aggressive push for Francophone immigration, resulting in one of the lowest Express Entry cut-off scores seen this year.
- Draw Type: French-Language Proficiency (Category-Based)
- ITAs Issued: 4,000
- CRS Cut-off Score: 393
- Tie-Breaking Rule: December 29, 2025, at 12:47 p.m. UTC
BREAKING: Express Entry French Draw Sees CRS Cut-Off Plunge Below 400
If you speak French, the doors to Canadian Permanent Residence are wide open. On March 18, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its latest targeted Express Entry draw, issuing a massive wave of invitations to candidates with French-language proficiency.
In a rare and exciting event for candidates in the pool, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score dropped well below the 400-point threshold, landing at an incredibly accessible 393 points.
Evaluate Your Express Entry Profile & CRS Score Today1. The Draw Details: 393 CRS and the Tie-Breaking Rule
To receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in this draw, candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 393 and verifiable French language test results (such as TEF or TCF Canada) demonstrating NCLC level 7 or higher across all four abilities.
Because multiple candidates may share the exact score of 393, IRCC applied a tie-breaking rule set to December 29, 2025, at 12:47 p.m. UTC. If you scored exactly 393, you only received an ITA if your Express Entry profile was submitted before this specific date and time.
2. The Rise of Francophone Immigration in 2026
Today's draw marks the 17th overall Express Entry selection of 2026, and only the third draw specifically targeting French speakers. Despite being just the third draw for this category, French-speaking candidates have already secured a massive 18,000 ITAs this year.
This volume places the French-Language proficiency category firmly in second place for total invitations issued, trailing only behind the massive Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws. The government's strategy is clear: bolstering Francophone communities outside of Quebec remains a top national priority.
3. A Complete Summary of 2026 Express Entry Draws
IRCC has maintained a blistering pace in 2026, focusing almost entirely on domestic candidates with Canadian work experience, provincial nominations, and targeted language or occupational skills.
Here is the complete table of Express Entry draws held in 2026 to date:
| Draw Date | Draw Type | CRS Cut-Off Score | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 18 | French-Language proficiency | 393 | 4,000 |
| March 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 507 | 4,000 |
| March 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 742 | 362 |
| March 5 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Exp. | 429 | 250 |
| March 4 | French-Language proficiency | 397 | 5,500 |
| March 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 4,000 |
| March 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 710 | 264 |
| February 20 | Healthcare and social services | 467 | 4,000 |
| February 19 | Physicians with Canadian work exp. | 169 | 391 |
| February 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 6,000 |
| February 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 279 |
| February 6 | French-Language proficiency | 400 | 8,500 |
| February 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 749 | 423 |
| January 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 6,000 |
| January 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 746 | 681 |
| January 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 511 | 8,000 |
| January 5 | Provincial Nominee Program | 711 | 574 |
4. Total ITAs Issued in 2026: Where Are They Going?
By the middle of March 2026, IRCC has already issued an impressive 53,604 ITAs. A breakdown of these invitations shows exactly where the Canadian government is prioritizing its immigration efforts.
Here is the breakdown by draw frequency:
- Provincial Nominee Program: 6 Draws
- Canadian Experience Class: 5 Draws
- French-Language proficiency: 3 Draws
- Healthcare and social services: 1 Draw
- Physicians with Canadian work experience: 1 Draw
- Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience: 1 Draw
Here is the breakdown by total ITAs issued per category:
| Draw Type | Total ITAs Issued in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class | 28,000 |
| French-Language proficiency | 18,000 |
| Healthcare and social services | 4,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 2,583 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 391 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 250 |
| Total ITAs Issued | 53,604 |
Ready to Submit Your PR Application?
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