Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 2,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence in its most recent category-based Express Entry draw. This draw specifically targeted candidates with French language proficiency, reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to support Francophone immigration outside Quebec.
Candidates selected in this round required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 394. This relatively modest threshold makes it an appealing opportunity for French-speaking applicants, especially those with strong linguistic skills but lower overall CRS scores.
This draw, held on August 16, marks the third round of Express Entry invitations within just one week. On August 14, IRCC issued 3,200 ITAs in a draw exclusively for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. A day earlier, on August 13, a separate draw invited 763 candidates through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), who needed a minimum CRS score of 690.
The surge in recent draws follows a record-breaking month in July, when IRCC held nine Express Entry rounds and invited over 25,000 candidates — the highest number of monthly draws since the program began in 2015. By contrast, June featured only one draw, signaling a dramatic rebound in Canada’s immigration invitation activity.
Of July’s nine draws, four were category-based selections, highlighting IRCC’s increasing use of occupation- and language-targeted invitation rounds. Two of those focused on French-speaking candidates, while the others centered on high-demand sectors such as healthcare and skilled trades.
Notably, the July 18th draw for French-speaking candidates had a CRS cutoff of just 400, making this language-based selection one of the most accessible pathways for applicants. The latest draw continues this trend by further lowering the score requirement to 394, showcasing IRCC’s ongoing efforts to bolster Francophone communities across the country.
With the current momentum in Express Entry, prospective immigrants — especially those with French language proficiency or relevant experience in targeted sectors — have increasing opportunities to secure permanent residence in Canada.
Maple News will continue to monitor and report on upcoming Express Entry developments and policy shifts.