Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted another Express Entry draw, issuing 800 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through a category-based selection for candidates proficient in French.
A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 466 was required for eligibility.
IRCC Conducts Second Express Entry Draw of December with a Focus on French-Language Proficiency
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its second Express Entry draw of December, following a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on December 2. This recent draw issued 800 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a category-based selection for candidates with French-language proficiency, requiring a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 466.
Express Entry Trends and Insights
In November, IRCC held six Express Entry draws, issuing a total of 5,507 ITAs for permanent residence (PR). Consistent with previous months, Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and PNP candidates have seen regular invitations, reflecting IRCC’s ongoing focus on these streams. This trend is expected to persist with the introduction of the “In-Canada” focus category, designed to target candidates from the CEC and other regional programs. This category may also include Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) applicants.
Under Canada’s latest Immigration Levels Plan, this new category has been allocated 82,980 PR admissions for the upcoming year—accounting for over 40% of planned admissions. Similarly, candidates with strong French language skills are set to benefit significantly, as PR admissions for French speakers outside Quebec will increase to 29,235 in 2025, with further growth anticipated through 2026 and 2027 under IRCC’s Francophone immigration strategy.
Summary of Recent Express Entry Draws
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 3 | French-language proficiency | 800 | 466 |
| December 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 676 | 705 |
| November 20 | Healthcare occupations | 3,000 | 463 |
| November 19 | Canadian Experience Class | 400 | 539 |
| November 15 | French-language proficiency | 800 | 478 |
| November 13 | Canadian Experience Class | 400 | 547 |
What is Express Entry?
The Express Entry system manages applications for three federal economic immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Candidates in Express Entry-aligned PNP streams may also receive ITAs through enhanced provincial nominations.
Applicants are evaluated using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns scores based on factors such as age, language proficiency, education, and work experience. Enhanced PNP nominations add 600 CRS points, significantly increasing the chances of receiving an ITA.
CRS scores can also be boosted through additional factors like Canadian work experience, having a sibling in Canada, or applying with a spouse. IRCC recently introduced category-based selection draws targeting candidates with specific professional or language proficiencies to address labor market and demographic goals. These draws often have lower CRS thresholds than general or program-specific draws, increasing accessibility for eligible candidates.
IRCC invites Express Entry candidates in first French-language draw of December | CIC News
