Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a targeted Express Entry draw on October 6, 2025, inviting 4,500 candidates with strong French proficiency to apply for permanent residence. This round required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 432 — 14 points lower than the previous French-language draw held on September 4, reflecting a positive trend for bilingual applicants.
This draw marks the sixth of its kind in 2025 focused on French-speaking candidates, highlighting Canada’s continued efforts to promote bilingualism and support the growth of Francophone communities outside Quebec. The move is aligned with Canada’s broader strategic goal of attracting skilled workers who can contribute both economically and culturally.
The French language draw followed a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw held on October 1, which invited 1,000 candidates with a higher minimum CRS score of 534. The lower threshold in the French-speaking category indicates a strategic push to invite more bilingual applicants by leveraging language-specific categories implemented earlier under the category-based Express Entry system.
So far in 2025, Canada has conducted 41 Express Entry draws, issuing a total of 70,338 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). These include specialized draws targeting professions in healthcare, education, trades, and French language proficiency. In comparison, 98,903 ITAs were issued in 2024 and 110,266 in 2023.
The October 6 draw also applied the Express Entry tie-breaking rule, selecting candidates who met the minimum CRS score and submitted their profiles before June 13, 2025 at 3:07 p.m. EST. This rule ensures fair processing by prioritizing earlier submissions in case of score ties.
This was the 371st Express Entry draw overall and part of Canada’s evolving immigration strategy that increasingly leverages category-based selection. These targeted draws help the country address urgent labor shortages while supporting long-term goals, including promoting official languages and regional economic development.
Candidates issued ITAs now have 60 days to submit their complete permanent residence applications. IRCC typically processes Express Entry applications within six months, maintaining one of the fastest immigration pathways in the world.
Employers seeking to recruit foreign talent are encouraged to explore Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) processes or nominate candidates under Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) to retain international hires over the long term.
For newcomers, possessing strong French language skills has become a significant advantage. According to Maple News, applicants aiming to enhance their competitiveness should consider improving language test scores or obtaining a qualifying job offer to boost their CRS standing in future rounds.