IRCC Releases 8,500 ITAs in Historic French-Language Express Entry Round

Canada’s immigration system marked a major milestone on February 6, 2026, when Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 8,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a category-based Express Entry draw for candidates with French-language proficiency.

 With a CRS cut-off of 400, the round became one of the largest and most accessible French-language selections in Express Entry history, signalling a clear policy push toward strengthening Francophone immigration and expanding opportunities for skilled French-speaking workers.

Details of the Latest Draws

February 6, 2026 — French-Language Proficiency Draw

✅ Invitation Round: #394

✅ Date of Round: February 06, 2026

✅ Type of Draw: French-language proficiency.  

✅ Number of ITAs Issued: 8,500

✅ CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate Invited: 400

✅ Tie-Breaking Rule: Profiles had to be submitted before 11:11 am UTC on February 03, 2026.

This draw is one of the largest French category rounds to date, demonstrating the government’s push to welcome skilled French speakers, particularly outside Quebec, by lowering barriers and setting a relatively accessible CRS score. 

Purpose of the Draws

These recent rounds serve specific policy objectives within Canada’s broader immigration framework:

• Attract and retain Francophone talent:
  
  • Boost representation of French-speaking skilled workers across Canada, including outside traditional Francophone regions.
  
  • Support Canada’s bilingualism goals and economic integration of highly capable French speakers.
  
  

• Support regional labour-market needs through PNP:
  
  • Ensure provinces and territories can nominate skilled workers aligned with local economic demands.
  
  • Provide a pathway to permanent residence for workers who fill critical gaps in provincial workforces.
  
  

• Maintain a dynamic, balanced Express Entry system:
  
  • Balance high-volume category draws (like French proficiency) with high-score targeted rounds (like PNP) to address varied immigration priorities.
  
  • Keep the Express Entry pool moving and opportunities open for diverse profiles. 

Impact on Immigration

These draws have a number of significant implications:

• Lower CRS thresholds for French speakers mean more opportunities for skilled workers with strong French ability, even if their overall CRS is moderate.
  
  

• The PNP outlier of 749 CRS highlights how competitive the system remains, especially for nominees, but also how valuable a provincial nomination can be for almost guaranteed ITA success.
  
  

• With nearly 239,000 candidates in the Express Entry pool as of early February 2026, competition is fierce, but IRCC continues to open multiple pathways for different candidate profiles. 

French-Language Proficiency Trends

The emphasis on French draws isn’t entirely new — Canada has prioritized Francophone immigration in past years, with previous French draws also issuing thousands of ITAs at comparatively low CRS thresholds. 

While exact demographic breakdowns for the latest round aren’t yet published, historical data shows French-language proficiency draws have repeatedly offered some of the lowest cut-off scores, making them a key avenue for many skilled immigrants.

Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2026