Guide · Express Entry draws

French-language Express Entry draws: how they work

Updated October 30, 2026 · 5 min read

Since 2023, IRCC has run Express Entry draws that only invite candidates with strong French. This guide explains what these draws are, who is eligible, how a draw is set, and what recent draws looked like. It describes how the system works. It does not predict what happens next.

What category-based selection is

Express Entry is the online system IRCC uses to manage applications for three economic programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Candidates create a profile and are ranked with the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

IRCC holds three types of rounds: general rounds, program-specific rounds and category-based rounds. In a category-based round, only candidates who meet that category's requirements can be invited.

IRCC announced category-based selection on May 31, 2023. The first categories covered healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, agriculture and agri-food, and candidates with strong French skills. According to IRCC, the Minister sets each category to meet a specific economic goal, based on labour market information and input from provinces, territories and other partners. Each year, IRCC reports to Parliament on the categories it used and how many invitations it issued in each.

Who is eligible for the French category

IRCC's category-based selection page sets the rule: you need French-language test results that show a minimum score of 7 in all four language abilities (reading, writing, listening and speaking), and you must meet all the requirements in the instructions for that round.

Two details matter here:

• All four skills. NCLC 7 is a minimum in each ability, not an average. A high score in one skill does not make up for a lower score in another.
• An eligible profile first. The category does not replace the basic rules. A candidate must already qualify for one of the three Express Entry programs to be in the pool.

IRCC accepts the TCF Canada and the TEF Canada for French. Each test has its own score scale and its own NCLC 7 minimums. Our guide TCF Canada or TEF Canada lists them, and the free NCLC converter turns test scores into NCLC levels.

French also adds CRS points, whether or not you are invited in a French draw. That is a separate topic, covered in CRS points for French at NCLC 7.

How a draw works

IRCC describes each round in four steps:

1. It chooses the round type, for example the French-language proficiency category.
2. It sets the number of invitations to issue.
3. It finds the highest-ranked candidates in the pool who are eligible for that round type.
4. It invites them to apply for permanent residence.

So the number of invitations is decided in advance, and the minimum CRS score is a result. It is the score of the lowest-ranked person who was invited, and it depends on who happens to be in the pool that day.

When several candidates have the same score at the cut-off, IRCC uses a tie-breaking rule: candidates with that score who entered the pool before a stated date and time are invited, and those who entered later are not. IRCC publishes this date and time with each round.

Recent French-language draws

These are the French-language proficiency draws held in 2026, as of October 30, 2026. In 2026, IRCC lists this category as "French-language proficiency 2026-Version 2".

Figures as reported by CIC News and cross-checked with Canadim and immigration.ca. The official record is IRCC's rounds of invitations page. Check it there before relying on any number.

The table shows that both the number of invitations and the lowest score have moved up and down from one draw to the next, and the time between draws has varied too. Past draws do not predict future ones. IRCC does not publish a draw calendar, and the size and timing of each round are set by IRCC.

What changed in 2026

On February 18, 2026, the Minister announced the Express Entry categories for 2026. French-language proficiency stayed on the list. The other changes reported at the time were:

• New categories for researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience, and for skilled military recruits.
• Transport occupations brought back as a category.
• The agriculture and agri-food category removed.

As of October 30, 2026, IRCC's category-based selection page lists ten current categories: French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, education, transport, physicians with Canadian work experience, senior managers with Canadian work experience, researchers with Canadian work experience, and skilled military recruits. Categories and their rules can change, so check that page for the current list.

Where to check official results

• Latest round: IRCC's Express Entry rounds of invitations page shows the most recent draw.
• All past rounds: the previous rounds page lists every round with its date, type, invitations and lowest score, and links to each round's instructions, including the tie-breaking rule.
• Category rules: the category-based selection page has the eligibility requirements for each category.

News sites often report a draw within hours, but IRCC's own pages are the record.

If you want to see how long that usually takes, read from zero to NCLC 7.

Sources

• IRCC: Express Entry category-based selection (modified October 16, 2026)
• IRCC: How Express Entry rounds of invitations work
• IRCC: Express Entry rounds of invitations
• IRCC: Previous rounds of invitations
• IRCC news release: Canada launches new process to welcome skilled newcomers (May 31, 2023)
• CIC News: Canada invites 5,000 French-speaking workers (October 2026)
• Canadim: Express Entry draw #452
• immigration.ca: French-language draw of October 16, 2026
• Mondaq: Minister announces changes to Express Entry categories for 2026 (February 2026)

Francora is an independent course, not affiliated with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), France Éducation international or CCI Paris Île-de-France. This guide is general information, not immigration advice.