Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its third Express Entry draw of the week, inviting 1,800 candidates with strong French language proficiency to apply for permanent residency. This draw, held on July 18, required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 400—one of the lowest CRS thresholds set this year.
This French category-based draw follows a busy week for Canada’s immigration system. On July 17, a Canadian Experience Class (CEC)-specific draw invited 6,300 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 515. One day earlier, IRCC issued 1,391 invitations under a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-only draw, requiring a minimum CRS score of 670.
So far in July, IRCC has issued 19,161 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across seven different draws. This makes July 2024 the most active month for Express Entry invitations so far this year, indicating Canada’s escalating efforts to attract skilled immigrants to meet labour market demands.
Category-based draws like those focusing on French-speaking candidates are part of Canada’s strategy to support both economic needs and cultural integration. Language proficiency remains a key selection factor, particularly for those who can strengthen the country’s bilingual fabric.
French-speaking candidates continue to benefit from lower CRS thresholds compared to general draws. For instance, a similar draw on July 8 invited 3,200 such candidates with a minimum CRS of just 420. In contrast, PNP candidates have consistently required higher CRS scores due to the additional 600 points automatically awarded upon nomination.
Express Entry is the centralized application system for Canada’s three main federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Candidates are ranked using the CRS, which evaluates factors such as age, education, language ability, and work experience.
The high activity reflects Canada’s ongoing commitment to tailored immigration, supporting both economic growth and linguistic diversity. As category-based and occupation-specific draws become increasingly frequent, Canadian immigration pathways continue to evolve in alignment with long-term policy objectives.
Maple News will continue monitoring upcoming draws and trends to keep you updated on Canada’s dynamic immigration landscape.