French-speaking Express Entry candidates receive invitations at higher CRS…
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued 4,500 invitations to apply for permanent residence on May 28 in an Express Entry draw targeting French-speaking candidates. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score stood at 409, and applicants needed profiles created before April 29, 2026, at 10:20 p.m. UTC to qualify.
The CRS threshold rose nine points from the previous French-language draw on April 29, when IRCC invited 4,000 candidates at a cutoff of 400. This marks the fourth French-proficiency draw in May and the sixth such selection in 2026, reflecting Ottawa's sustained emphasis on bilingual immigration as part of its Francophone Immigration Strategy.
To receive consideration in the May 28 draw, candidates required demonstrated French-language ability alongside their Express Entry profile. The 409-point minimum means successful applicants likely held a combination of strong language test results in French, post-secondary credentials, and either Canadian work experience or a job offer. Provincial nominees were not the focus of this round — those draws have run separately throughout May, with CRS floors above 800.
"IRCC has issued more invitations to apply through the Express Entry system," the announcement states, confirming the department's continued use of category-based selection introduced in 2023.
French-language draws have accounted for 30,500 of the 79,841 invitations issued across all Express Entry categories so far in 2026. That total trails only the Canadian Experience Class, which has distributed 37,250 ITAs across nine draws. Provincial Nominee Program selections, by contrast, have issued just 4,450 invitations despite running 11 times, because PNP draws target candidates who already hold provincial nominations and thus carry CRS scores routinely above 700.
Applicants who received invitations on May 28 now have 60 days to submit complete permanent residence applications, including police certificates, medical exams, and proof of funds where required. Those who missed the cutoff should monitor their Comprehensive Ranking System scores in their IRCC online accounts and consider retaking French-language tests — TEF Canada or TCF Canada — to boost points before the next French-proficiency round.
Source: CIC News — published 2026-05-28.