The Immigration Department of Canada, IRCC, has held the latest Express Entry draw to invite French Proficient Candidates. The French category is one of the six new categories that IRCC selected for category-based selection draws. Canada began holding these new categories-based draws in May 2023. Discover the results of the latest Express Entry French category draw below and determine how many candidates received invitations and the cut-off score.

Latest Express Entry French Category Draw Result

IRCC sent around 7,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) in the latest Express Entry draw. In this draw, potential candidates with French Language Proficiency and a minimal CRS score of 365 were considered for the ITA. 

This was notably the minimum comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score for any Express Entry draw this year. 

2024 Express Entry Draws Summary 

As of now, in 2024, IRCC has held four Express Entry draws. 

This recent Express Entry French Category Draw followed the January 31 draw. In that draw, IRCC invited 730 candidates who had a minimum CRS score of 541. The draw was a general draw, with no occupations or attributes considered.  

In January, Canada also held two more draws to invite potential candidates. The first draw occurred on January 10 (this year’s first Express Entry draw). It was a general draw with a 546 CRS score requirement. IRCC invited a total of 1,510 candidates in this draw. 

The second draw of January was again a general draw that took place on January 23. IRCC sent 1,040 ITAs to potential candidates with a CRS score of 543. 

As per these draws, it’s too soon to anticipate the pattern for Express Entry draws for 2024. 

Last year, Canada held 42 Express Entry draws and sent over 110,000 invitations to potential candidates. This was to attain the immigration target for both 2023 and 2024, specified in the immigration plan.

The table will show the 2024 Express Entry draws results. 

Draw DateType Of DrawTotal ITAs IssuedCut-Off Score
January 10    General    1,510     546  
January 23  General        1,040543  
January 31General730541
February 1French Language Proficiency7000365

Defining Express Entry System in Canada

Canada’s Express Entry is a prevalent economic immigration pathway that manages applications from FSWP, FSTP, and CEC programs. These are:

FSWP: Federal Skilled Workers Program; 

FSTP:  Federal Skilled Trades Program; and 

CEC:  Canadian Experience Class.

All three programs have unique eligibility criteria, and candidates under each program are evaluated using a point-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System.

This system considers several human capital attributes to provide candidates with a score and rank them against each other. 

These attributes include:

  • Age;
  • Work experience;
  • Education; 
  • Occupation; and 
  • Language ability. 

Introduction of Category-Based Selection Draws

Under Express Entry, IRCC incorporated new draws based on specific categories to invite candidates who meet the eligibility criteria for these category draws. These draws are called category selection draws.

Canada selected six new categories, among which five consider work experience in high-demand occupations, and one was attribute-based, which requires strong French-language proficiency.

The five occupation-based categories include:

  • Trades occupations, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
  • Healthcare occupations
  • Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
  • Agriculture and agri-food occupations
  • Transport occupations

How can you apply for Express Entry draws?

There are a few steps you must follow to apply under Canada’s Express Entry program. 

First of all, assess yourself to determine whether you are eligible for any of the three Express Entry Draws. Check the eligibility prerequisites of all the programs and determine the economic program you are eligible for.

Next, create a profile in the Express Entry pool. After this, you will be evaluated under the CRS and assigned a score based on your attributes. 

Then, you must wait to receive an ITA in the coming Express Entry draw. If you get an invitation to apply, you have to submit your final application for PR to IRCC within 60 days.

If the IRCC department approves your PR application, you’ll receive a confirmation letter authorizing you to settle in Canada permanently.