Canada issued 5,500 invitations to permanent residency candidates with strong French skills on March 4, 2026. This category-based draw saw the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score drop to 397 for eligible applicants.
Details of the March 4 Express Entry Draw
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a significant Express Entry draw on March 4, 2026. This specific round invited 5,500 candidates based on their French-language proficiency. The government issued these Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to help meet Francophone immigration targets.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score for this draw reached 397 points. This score is notably lower than recent general draws. IRCC used a tie-breaking rule set for October 10, 2025, at 18:18:20 UTC. This means candidates with a score of 397 only received an invitation if they submitted their profile before this date.
French Language Requirements and Eligibility
To qualify, candidates needed a minimum level 7 in all four French language abilities. These categories include speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Applicants must use an approved language test to prove their skills. The results from these tests must remain valid for two years.
This category supports the Canadian government’s goal to increase the Francophone population outside of Quebec. It helps diversify the workforce in various provinces and territories. Many candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Canadian Experience Class benefited from this round.
Official Draw Statistics
The table below outlines the specific data points released by the IRCC for this ministerial instruction.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Draw Number | 401 |
| Invitations Issued | 5,500 |
| CRS Score Cut-off | 397 |
| Tie-breaking Rule | October 10, 2025 |
Next Steps for Invited Candidates
Candidates who received an invitation now have 60 days to submit a complete application. This application requires detailed documentation regarding work history, education, and medical records. IRCC will then process these files to grant permanent residency status.
Minister Lena Metlege Diab signed the Ministerial Instructions for this round. The government continues to prioritize bilingualism as a key part of its economic strategy. Future draws may continue to target specific labor market needs and linguistic skills.
