Immigration tracker
Express Entry French-category draws
French speakers get invited at dramatically lower CRS scores. Here's the recent picture — and how to make sure you're in the pool that benefits.
Most recent French draw vs general draw
~122 CRS points lower
That gap is what strong French can be worth to your invitation odds.
Recent rounds of invitations
| Date | Category | Invitations | CRS cut-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 18, 2026 | French | 7,000 | 393 |
| Mar 12, 2026 | General | 4,500 | 515 |
| Feb 19, 2026 | French | 8,500 | 410 |
| Feb 5, 2026 | General | 4,000 | 521 |
| Jan 22, 2026 | French | 6,500 | 428 |
Reference snapshot · last updated July 2026. Compiled from IRCC public data — always confirm the latest rounds on the official IRCC rounds of invitations page.
Get an email when a French draw happens
Drop your email and we'll keep you posted on French-category rounds.
Your ticket in: NCLC 7 across all four skills
French-category draws only invite candidates who have entered the pool with NCLC 7+ in every French skill. That's the entire game — and it's very reachable with focused TCF Canada practice. Check where you stand with the CLB calculator and see the full points picture with the CRS calculator.
Get into the French pool
Free timed TCF Canada mock tests with an estimated NCLC band after every attempt — the path to NCLC 7 and the draws that reward it.
Frequently asked questions
What is an Express Entry French-category draw?
IRCC runs category-based rounds of invitations for candidates with strong French (NCLC 7+ in all four skills). Because the francophone pool is smaller, these draws have historically had much lower CRS cut-offs than general draws.
How much lower are French draws?
It varies by round, but French-category cut-offs have at times been more than 100 CRS points below general draws — a decisive advantage for candidates who might not be invited otherwise.
How do I qualify for a French draw?
Reach NCLC 7 or higher in reading, listening, writing, and speaking on an approved French test like TCF Canada, and enter the Express Entry pool. Your weakest skill must still meet NCLC 7.
Is this draw data official?
No. It's a reference snapshot compiled from IRCC's public rounds-of-invitations data. Always confirm the latest rounds on the official IRCC page before making decisions.