Express Entry French-Language Draw: 5,000 Invited with a CRS Cutoff of 420

Canada issued 5,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) to French-speaking Express Entry candidates on July 9, 2026. The minimum CRS score required was 420, the highest cutoff recorded for a French-language round this year.

This was the third Express Entry draw in four days, following the Provincial Nominee Program round on July 6 and the Canadian Experience Class round on July 7. If you hold French-language ability, this round is worth reviewing closely, since it points to a rising trend in both invitation volume and cutoff score for this category.

Latest French-Language Draw Results

If more than one candidate had a score of exactly 420, the tie-breaking rule applied: only those who submitted their profile before the May 15 timestamp were invited.

Note on round #418: SEP Immigration has confirmed that an earlier issue affecting invitations in the May 28, 2026 French-language round has been resolved. If you were eligible for that round and did not receive an invitation, check your Express Entry account, as you should now see it reflected.

How This Draw Compares to Recent Rounds

At 420, this cutoff is the highest IRCC has set for a French-language round in 2026, just above the 419 recorded on April 15. It is also the highest French-language cutoff since October 2025.

Why the cutoff keeps rising:

• A larger pool of French-speaking candidates: More candidates with NCLC 7 or higher are entering the pool, which pushes competition up.
• A bigger invitation count: IRCC raised this round to 5,000 invitations, up from 4,500 in the previous French round on May 28.

French-language draws still offer some of the lowest CRS thresholds of any Express Entry category. For comparison, the July 7 Canadian Experience Class cutoff was 517 and the July 6 Provincial Nominee Program cutoff was 708, both well above 420. If you have strong French skills, this makes the French-language category one of the most accessible paths into the pool.

Previous rounds of invitations

French-language proficiency draws have issued 35,500 invitations across seven rounds so far in 2026, making this the second-largest source of Express Entry invitations this year after the Canadian Experience Class. You can review the full record of rounds on our Express Entry Draws page.

Who Qualifies for French-Language Proficiency Draws

To be considered in a French-language round, you need:

• NCLC 7 or higher in all four French-language abilities: reading, writing, listening, and speaking, on an approved test such as TEF Canada or TCF Canada.
• Eligibility for one of the three Express Entry programs, since French ability is an added category, not a standalone program.
• A valid, active profile in the Express Entry pool.

French-language ability at NCLC 7 or higher can add up to 50 CRS points on its own, which is often enough to move a borderline profile into range for a French round even when your score would not qualify for a general or program-specific draw. If you are not sure where you stand, our team at SEP Immigration can review your Express Entry profile and confirm whether the French category could work in your favor.

Full program details are available on the Government of Canada's category-based selection page.

What This Draw Means for Your CRS Score

If your CRS score is 420 or higher and you have qualifying French results, you were within range for this round. Keep your Express Entry profile accurate and your French test results valid, since you have 60 days to submit a complete application once invited.

If your score is close to 420, small adjustments such as improving your French test results, updating your work experience, or reassessing your education credentials could move you into range for the next round.

If your score is well below 420 and you do not yet have French results, developing your French to NCLC 7 is one of the most direct ways to raise your score and open the door to this category. Use our free CRS score calculator to see exactly how many points French proficiency would add for your profile.

How the rounds work

The government follows specific steps for official draws. Instructions for rounds of invitations dictate this process.

1. We choose the type of round we’ll hold.
2. We decide the number of candidates we need to invite.
3. We identify the highest-ranking candidates from the pool who are eligible for the chosen round type.
4. We invite these candidates to apply for permanent residence.

How Express Entry Rounds of Invitation Work

IRCC selects candidates from the Express Entry pool through rounds of invitation, based on your CRS ranking. Each round follows the same general steps:

1. IRCC chooses the type of round it will hold.
2. IRCC sets the number of candidates it needs to invite.
3. The highest-ranking eligible candidates in the pool are identified for that round type.
4. Those candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence.

Types of Rounds

• General rounds: Top-ranking candidates eligible for any of the three Express Entry programs are invited, based on CRS score alone.
• Program-specific rounds: Only candidates eligible for one particular program, such as the Canadian Experience Class or a Provincial Nominee Program, are invited.
• Category-based rounds: IRCC sets a category tied to a specific economic goal, such as French-language proficiency, and invites top-ranking candidates who qualify for that category.

If you hold a provincial or territorial nomination, you remain eligible to be invited through both general and Provincial Nominee Program-specific rounds.

Talk to an RCIC About Your Express Entry Options

Express Entry rewards strategy as much as eligibility. SEP Immigration is led by Sepehr Falahati, a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC, R533959) based in North York, Toronto. Our team reviews your CRS score, identifies which category or program gives you the best chance, and prepares your application with the documentation IRCC expects. We do not make promises about outcomes, but we give you a clear, honest picture of where you stand.

Book a consultation or start with a free assessment to see how this draw affects your case.