Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 4,000 Invitations to Apply for permanent residence on April 29, 2026. This category-based selection round targeted candidates with French-language proficiency, recording a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 400.
April 29 Express Entry Draw Details
The latest round of invitations prioritized Francophone candidates under the French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 category. IRCC uses category-based selection to meet specific economic goals.
Candidates needed a rank of 4,000 or above to receive an invitation. The table below outlines the exact ministerial instructions for this round.
| Draw Detail | Data |
|---|---|
| Date and time | April 29, 2026 at 11:02:27 UTC |
| Category | French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 |
| Lowest CRS score | 400 |
| Invitations issued | 4,000 |
| Tie-breaking rule | April 07, 2026 at 20:13:59 UTC |
How the Tie-Breaking Rule Works
IRCC applied a tie-breaking rule for this specific draw. The official timestamp for the tie-breaker was April 07, 2026 at 20:13:59 UTC.
If multiple candidates share the lowest score of 400, the cut-off depends on their profile submission date. Candidates who submitted their Express Entry profiles before this exact date and time received an invitation.
Types of Invitation Rounds
IRCC holds different types of invitation rounds throughout the year. The government chooses the round type and decides the number of candidates to invite.
General rounds invite top-ranking candidates eligible for one of the three programs managed through Express Entry. Program-specific rounds target candidates eligible for a distinct pathway.
For example, an exclusive Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) round only invites candidates eligible for the PNP. IRCC will continue to invite candidates with a provincial or territorial nomination through general and PNP-specific rounds.
Category-based rounds occur when the Minister establishes a category to meet an economic goal. IRCC then identifies the highest-ranking candidates from the pool who are eligible for the chosen round type.
Next Steps for Invited Candidates
Receiving an invitation is the first step toward permanent residence. Invited candidates must now submit a complete application with supporting documents.
Errors in documentation can lead to application refusals or delays. SEP Immigration specializes in complex immigration cases, including admissibility issues and appeals.
Our legal team reviews every detail to build a strong, accurate application. We give clear, realistic options based on your specific situation.
