Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the most recent Express Entry draw, targeting candidates with French-language proficiency. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for this draw was 399 — marking a rare dip below the 400-point threshold.
To be eligible, candidates must have submitted their Express Entry profile before 11:43 p.m. UTC on August 24, 2025. This draw is part of Canada’s category-based selection strategy, which aims to attract talent in key sectors and promote official language duality.
This latest round is the second French-language-focused draw in just three weeks. In total, IRCC has invited over 12,000 French-speaking candidates during that short span and 48,000 in 2025 alone across nine specific French-language draws. This makes French speakers the most invited group among category-based selections in the Express Entry system this year.
The December 17 draw is part of an active month for Express Entry, marking the sixth draw in December. Recent rounds also included draws for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) on December 16, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates on December 15, and healthcare and social services professionals on December 11. This volume reflects the government’s commitment to welcoming skilled newcomers across diverse occupational fields.
So far in 2025, IRCC has issued 113,998 ITAs through the Express Entry system. While Provincial Nominee Program draws have taken a leading share this year, a significant number of invitations have also been extended to CEC candidates, French-language speakers, and those within priority occupation groups, including healthcare, trades, and STEM professions.
The continued low CRS cut-off for French-speaking candidates positions bilingual applicants as advantageous in Canada’s points-based immigration system, reflecting Ottawa’s broader strategy to build a more linguistically diverse and economically resilient society.