Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 5,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a French-language Express Entry draw. To be eligible, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 420 and must have created an Express Entry profile before 8:04 a.m. UTC on May 15, 2026.
This draw marks the largest French-language invitation round this year and the highest CRS cutoff for French-language Express Entry draws since October 6, 2025, underscoring IRCC’s continued focus on francophone applicants alongside provincial-nomination pathways.
As of this draw, IRCC has conducted 37 Express Entry draws in 2026, bringing total ITAs to 96,601 across all streams. The year-to-date breakdown shows: Canadian Experience Class 43,250 ITAs; French-Language proficiency 35,500 ITAs; Provincial Nominee Program 5,939 ITAs; Healthcare and social services 8,000 ITAs; Trades 3,000 ITAs; Physicians with Canadian work experience 662 ITAs; and Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 750 ITAs.
IRCC’s draw cadence in 2026 has included 13 Provincial Nominee Program rounds, 11 Canadian Experience Class rounds, 7 French-Language proficiency rounds, and smaller, specialized draws for physicians, healthcare workers, senior managers, and trades. Collectively, these rounds reflect an ongoing strategy to balance language ability, work experience in Canada, and provincial nomination to support economic growth. Maple News will continue to monitor upcoming Express Entry rounds for changes in CRS cut-offs and draw composition.