Canada’s Express Entry system has delivered encouraging news for immigration hopefuls, as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has lowered the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score below 400 in its latest draw. This development highlights Canada’s continued focus on attracting French-speaking skilled workers to support economic growth and strengthen Francophone communities across the country.
Overview of the Latest Express Entry Draw
In the most recent Express Entry draw, IRCC issued 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the French-language proficiency category.
Eligibility Criteria for This Draw
To receive an invitation, candidates needed to meet the following requirements:
- Minimum CRS score: 399
- Category: French-language proficiency
- Express Entry profile created before: 11:43 p.m. (UTC), August 24, 2025
This draw marks the second French-language proficiency draw in less than three weeks, reflecting IRCC’s strong preference for candidates with French language skills.
French-Language Proficiency: A Leading Express Entry Category
French-speaking candidates continue to outperform all other groups in Express Entry invitations this year. Between the two most recent French-language draws alone, IRCC has issued more than 12,000 ITAs.
As of this draw:
- 48,000 ITAs have been issued to French-speaking candidates
- Invitations were spread across nine French-language draws
- This category now leads all Express Entry categories in total ITAs issued in 2025
The consistently low CRS scores in these draws demonstrate how valuable French proficiency has become in Canada’s immigration strategy.
Sixth Express Entry Draw of December 2025
This French-language draw is the sixth Express Entry draw in December, following several targeted selections earlier in the month:
- December 16: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw
- December 15: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw
- December 11: Healthcare and social services occupations draw
Rather than conducting broad all-program draws, IRCC continues to rely on category-based invitations to meet specific labour market needs.
Express Entry Invitations in 2025: Year-to-Date Summary
So far in 2025, IRCC has issued a total of 117,998 Invitations to Apply through the Express Entry system.
Most ITAs this year have been allocated to:
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates
- French-language proficiency candidates
- Priority occupation groups such as healthcare and social services
This approach aligns with Canada’s long-term immigration plan, focusing on economic contribution, regional development, and language diversity.
What This CRS Drop Means for Express Entry Candidates
A CRS cut-off score of 399 is a major opportunity for candidates who previously found Express Entry out of reach. This draw shows that strong French language skills can significantly improve immigration prospects, even for candidates with moderate CRS scores.
How Candidates Can Improve Their Chances
- Improve French language test scores (TEF or TCF)
- Gain Canadian work experience to qualify under CEC
- Secure a provincial nomination for an additional 600 CRS points
- Combine English and French proficiency for maximum CRS advantage
The latest Express Entry draw reinforces a clear message: French-speaking skilled workers are a top priority for Canada in 2025. With CRS scores dropping below 400, this is an ideal time for eligible candidates to enter the Express Entry pool or update their profiles.
If you are planning to apply for Canadian permanent residence, staying informed about category-based draws and strengthening your language profile could be the key to success. World Overseas Services helps applicants navigate Express Entry with expert guidance, profile optimization, and up-to-date immigration strategies—making your PR journey clearer and more confident.