Canada Invites Over 5,000 Express Entry Candidates at Lowest CRS Score in a Year

Canada has conducted another Express Entry draw, issuing thousands of invitations to immigration candidates. In the latest selection round, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 5,500 candidates to apply for permanent residence under the French-language proficiency category.

This draw is notable because it recorded one of the lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off scores seen in the past year, giving many candidates a better chance of receiving an invitation.

Details of the Latest Draw

The draw took place on March 4, 2026 and targeted candidates who demonstrate strong French language skills. To qualify for this round of invitations, candidates were required to meet the following criteria:

• A minimum CRS score of 397 
• An Express Entry profile created before 6:18 PM (UTC) on October 10, 2025 

Candidates meeting these requirements received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence.

Express Entry Draws in 2026 So Far

Canada has been actively conducting Express Entry draws throughout 2026, focusing mainly on candidates who already have Canadian work experience or provincial nominations.

Here is a summary of the major draws held this year:

• March 4, 2026 – French Language Proficiency: 5,500 invitations (CRS 397) 
• March 3, 2026 – Canadian Experience Class: 4,000 invitations (CRS 508) 
• March 2, 2026 – Provincial Nominee Program: 264 invitations (CRS 710) 
• February 20, 2026 – Healthcare and Social Services: 4,000 invitations (CRS 467) 
• February 19, 2026 – Physicians with Canadian Work Experience: 391 invitations (CRS 169) 
• February 17, 2026 – Canadian Experience Class: 6,000 invitations (CRS 508) 
• February 16, 2026 – Provincial Nominee Program: 279 invitations (CRS 789) 
• February 6, 2026 – French Language Proficiency: 8,500 invitations (CRS 400) 
• February 3, 2026 – Provincial Nominee Program: 423 invitations (CRS 749) 
• January 21, 2026 – Canadian Experience Class: 6,000 invitations (CRS 509) 
• January 20, 2026 – Provincial Nominee Program: 681 invitations (CRS 746) 
• January 7, 2026 – Canadian Experience Class: 8,000 invitations (CRS 511) 
• January 5, 2026 – Provincial Nominee Program: 574 invitations (CRS 711) 

Focus of Canada’s Immigration Strategy in 2026

So far in 2026, Canada has mainly targeted candidates who are already living and working in the country, especially those with Canadian work experience or provincial nominations.

The number of draws held in each category this year shows this trend:

• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 5 draws 
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 4 draws 
• French-language proficiency: 2 draws 
• Physicians with Canadian work experience: 1 draw 
• Healthcare and social services: 1 draw 

High Number of Invitations for French-Speaking Candidates

Although there have only been two French-language draws in 2026, they have resulted in a large number of invitations. In total, 14,000 candidates with French-language proficiency have received ITAs this year, making it the second-largest category of invitations so far.

Total Invitations Issued in 2026

Up to now, IRCC has issued 39,112 invitations to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry across the following categories:

• Canadian Experience Class: 24,000 invitations 
• French-language proficiency: 14,000 invitations 
• Healthcare and social services: 4,000 invitations 
• Provincial Nominee Program: 1,798 invitations 
• Physicians with Canadian work experience: 391 invitations

What This Means for Immigration Candidates

The latest Express Entry draw shows that candidates with French language skills have a strong opportunity to receive invitations, especially when CRS scores drop below 400. Applicants who improve their language scores, education, work experience, or provincial nomination status can significantly increase their chances of receiving an ITA.

At Asif Consulting, we continue to monitor Express Entry draws closely and guide applicants on how to strengthen their profiles and maximize their CRS scores for Canadian permanent residence.