Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the Express Entry French Language Proficiency draw on September 4, 2025 and issued 4,500 Invitations to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency (PR).
Details of the express entry Draw
It’s French Language Proficiency Draw, conducted on September 4, 2025 and only candidates securing minimum 446 CRS score and above got Invitation To Apply (ITA).
Why this express entry Draw is Important for Applicants ?
IRCC is prioritizing the French speaking candidates for permanent residency through the category based selection system. Canada wants to increase the population of French speaking communities outside the only French speaking province Quebec and combat the labor shortage in both Canadian official languages.
Inside Canada , we are witnessing an increased trend of international graduates learning French language in order to obtain CLB-7 proficiency in French exams which will make them eligible for future French language category draws.
By issuing 4,500 invitations IRCC has showed their support to French speakers in Canadian immigration strategy plus it has created a permanent residency hope among new learners such as English speaking applicants but now learning French.
Some Recent Express Entry Draws
| # | Date | Round type | Invitations issued | CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 365 | September 4, 2025 | French language proficiency (Version 1) | 4,500 | 446 |
| 364 | September 3, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| 363 | September 2, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 249 | 772 |
| 362 | August 19, 2025 | Healthcare and social services occupations (V2) | 2,500 | 470 |
| 361 | August 18, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 192 | 800 |
| 360 | August 8, 2025 | French language proficiency (Version 1) | 2,500 | 481 |
| 359 | August 7, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| 358 | August 6, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 225 | 739 |
| 357 | July 22, 2025 | Healthcare and social services occupations (V2) | 4,000 | 475 |
| 356 | July 21, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 202 | 788 |
| 355 | July 8, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 518 |
| 354 | July 7, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 356 | 750 |
| 353 | June 26, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 521 |
| 352 | June 23, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 503 | 742 |
| 351 | June 12, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 529 |
| 350 | June 10, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 125 | 784 |
| 349 | June 4, 2025 | Healthcare and social services occupations (V2) | 500 | 504 |
| 348 | June 2, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 277 | 726 |
| 347 | May 13, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 500 | 547 |
| 346 | May 12, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 511 | 706 |
| 345 | May 2, 2025 | Healthcare and social services occupations (V2) | 500 | 510 |
| 344 | May 1, 2025 | Education occupations (Version 1) | 1,000 | 479 |
| 343 | April 28, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 421 | 727 |
| 342 | April 14, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 825 | 764 |
| 341 | March 21, 2025 | French language proficiency (Version 1) | 7,500 | 379 |
If we compare this French language draw with recent CEC draw we see a big difference in CRS cut off. The latest CEC draw has CRS cut off of 534, in contrast this draw has CRS cut off of 446.
So far in 2025, IRCC has conducted 5 French language draws with CRS cut off ranging from lowest 379 to highest of 481. We also notice frequent PNP draws from IRCC, generally at least every month, so far 16 this year, and we can expect many more to come.
So far in 2025 IRCC conducted 16 PNP draws, 9 CEC draws,5 French language draws, 4 Healthcare and social services draws and 1 education draw. IRCC havn’t conducted any trades draw so far and applicants are frusted felling left off by IRCC.
Only one Education draw conducted so far in 2025 also creating stress and anxiety among education sector workers who are waiting for draws.
Should You Target Express Entry French Language Proficiency Draw?
If you don’t have high score in CRS pool and doesn’t come under targeted draws, then you can target French language draw because this current EE draw shows even with low CRS score you can receive Invitation To Apply (ITA).
Learning French language is not easy, it may take several months to attain CLB proficiency 7, but it’s also not impossible, with hard work and dedication you can pass the tough French language exam.
What French Language Exams are Eligible under Express Entry?
The following language tests accepted by IRCC are:
- TEF Canada and
French levels are measured by NCLC , it’s separate from CLB.