Express Entry French Draw, July 22, 2026: 5,000 Invited, CRS 399
Express Entry Rounds of Invitations
We invite candidates from the pool to apply in rounds throughout the year. We choose them based on points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Check the scores of previous rounds to see how likely you are to get an invitation in the next round. See Express Entry reports and publications for more data.
Latest Round Results
The most recent round is the French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date and time | July 22, 2026 at 11:12:26 UTC |
| CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited | 399 |
| Number of invitations issued | 5,000 |
| Rank needed | 5,000 or above |
| Tie-breaking rule | November 19, 2025 at 21:21:56 UTC |
If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off applies. It is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.
This data reflects the CRS score distribution of candidates in the pool as of July 19, 2026.
How the Rounds Work
The government follows specific instructions for rounds of invitations. The selection process involves four steps.
- We choose the type of round we’ll hold.
- We decide the number of candidates we need to invite.
- We identify the highest-ranking candidates from the pool who are eligible for the chosen round type.
- We invite these candidates to apply for permanent residence.
Types of Rounds of Invitations
We hold different types of rounds of invitations throughout the year. You must be eligible for 1 of the 3 programs managed through Express Entry to be placed in the pool.
1. General Rounds of Invitations
We invite top-ranking candidates in the pool. They must be eligible for 1 of the 3 programs managed through Express Entry.
2. Program-Specific Rounds of Invitations
We invite top-ranking candidates who are eligible for a specific Express Entry program. For example, we might hold a round specifically for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
In that case, we would only invite candidates who are eligible for the PNP.
3. Category-Based Rounds of Invitations
The Minister establishes a category to meet a specific economic goal. We then invite top-ranking candidates in the pool who are eligible for this category.
Candidates with a Provincial or Territorial Nomination
We will continue to invite candidates with a provincial or territorial nomination. This happens through general and Provincial Nominee Program-specific rounds.
What the Data Tells Us
Five thousand invitations at a cut-off of 399 is the clearest signal in the 2026 data. French remains the single most efficient route into Express Entry, and IRCC is still pushing hard toward its Francophone immigration targets.
The 399 cut-off is well below what any CEC or general round would demand. A candidate with average age, moderate work experience, and no Canadian education can still receive an invitation if they hold NCLC 7 across all four French abilities.
The tie-breaking timestamp of November 19, 2025 is the detail worth noticing. Candidates sitting exactly at 399 had profiles roughly eight months old, which means the pool at that score level is not clearing quickly.
For anyone within reach of NCLC 7, the French test is the highest-return investment available. No other single factor moves the odds by this margin.
For those invited, the priority now shifts to submitting a complete permanent residence application before the deadline. Incomplete submissions are refused rather than corrected.