In a continued effort to attract French-speaking skilled immigrants, Canada issued 4,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through a targeted Express Entry draw on September 4, 2025. According to Maple News, candidates in this round required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 446, a notable drop of 35 points from the last French-language draw on August 8, which invited 2,500 applicants.
This draw marks the fifth time in 2025 that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has held a selection specifically for candidates with French language proficiency. French-speaking candidates are considered vital to Canada’s goal of enhancing bilingualism and meeting labor market demands, especially outside of Quebec.
This latest draw followed a Canadian Experience Class (CEC)-specific round on September 3, which saw 1,000 ITAs issued with a minimum CRS score of 534. Express Entry draws in 2025 have become increasingly targeted, reflecting Canada’s shifting immigration strategy to align newcomers with workforce needs and provincial priorities.
So far in 2025, IRCC has conducted multiple types of draws: 16 for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, nine for the CEC stream, five targeting French speakers, one for education occupations, and four focused on healthcare and social services professionals. These selections collectively form part of the 35 Express Entry rounds conducted in 2025.
By early September, a total of 61,569 ITAs had been issued through Express Entry this year. Comparatively, Canada issued 98,903 invitations in 2024, 110,266 in 2023, and reached a record of 114,431 in 2021, the majority going to CEC and PNP candidates.
The tie-breaking rule for the latest draw was set for June 16, 2025, at 3:21 a.m. EST, meaning that candidates with a CRS score of 446 or higher who submitted their profiles before this date and time received invitations. Selected applicants now have 60 days to submit full applications, which Canada aims to process within the standard six-month timeframe.
Canada’s multifaceted Express Entry system continues to evolve, strategically selecting candidates based on language proficiency, work experience, and occupation demand. Maple News reports that highly skilled French-speaking individuals bring valuable linguistic diversity while also helping to support economic growth in Francophone communities outside Quebec.
As Canada targets high-potential talent through category-based selections, prospective applicants are encouraged to improve their CRS scores by enhancing language skills, securing provincial nominations, or gaining Canadian work experience. Employers are also urged to support foreign recruitment by obtaining Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) or nominations through PNPs to facilitate long-term hiring.