Canada continues to streamline its immigration process with a new Express Entry draw focused on French-speaking candidates. On February 19, 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 6,500 applicants under the French language proficiency category, marking the first such draw of the year.
The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this draw was 428, making it an accessible opportunity for many French-speaking candidates. The tie-breaking rule was set for February 10, 2025, at 16:41:38 UTC.
Record Number of Invitations Issued
The previous French-language-specific Express Entry draw took place on December 3, 2024, when 800 candidates were invited with a CRS cut-off of 466. The significant increase in invitations this time suggests Canada’s growing emphasis on attracting French-speaking talent.
How Does the Express Entry System Work?
Express Entry is Canada’s primary immigration system for selecting skilled foreign workers. It manages three major programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Candidates in the Express Entry pool are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which scores applicants based on:
- Language proficiency (English or French)
- Education
- Work experience
- Age
- Other adaptability factors
If multiple candidates share the lowest CRS score, IRCC determines the tie-breaker based on their profile submission date.
Language Proficiency: A Key Factor in CRS Scores
To qualify for Express Entry, candidates must take an approved language test and meet the required Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) for English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) for French. Strong language skills can significantly boost CRS scores and improve chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Latest CRS Score Distribution
As of February 16, 2025, the CRS score distribution among candidates in the pool was as follows:
| CRS Score Range | Number of Candidates |
|---|---|
| 601-1200 | 768 |
| 501-600 | 21,203 |
| 451-500 | 69,892 |
| 491-500 | 13,683 |
| 481-490 | 13,236 |
| 471-480 | 15,836 |
| 461-470 | 14,018 |
| 451-460 | 13,119 |
| 401-450 | 64,222 |
| 441-450 | 12,651 |
| 431-440 | 13,763 |
| 421-430 | 12,551 |
| 411-420 | 13,028 |
| 401-410 | 12,229 |
| 351-400 | 51,315 |
| 301-350 | 21,518 |
| 0-300 | 5,726 |
| Total | 234,644 |
These figures highlight the high competition among candidates, particularly in the 451-500 CRS range, which has the largest number of applicants.
PNP Draws Also Continue
Alongside Express Entry, Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) remains a key pathway to permanent residency. The latest PNP draw on February 17, 2025, issued 646 invitations with a CRS cut-off of 750.
The PNP allows provinces to select skilled workers to meet local labour market needs. If nominated, candidates receive an additional 600 CRS points, virtually guaranteeing an ITA in a future Express Entry draw.
What’s Next for Express Entry Applicants?
Canada conducts Express Entry draws approximately every two weeks. With a strong focus on French-speaking immigrants, candidates proficient in French should take advantage of this opportunity by improving their CRS scores and ensuring their profiles are up to date.
For the latest immigration news and updates on Express Entry, stay tuned!
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