Canada’s Latest Express Entry Draw Invites 300 French Speakers Candidates

In an exciting development for potential immigrants to Canada, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its second latest Express Entry draw of the week, with 300 coveted Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to French speakers. This category-based selection draw was a gateway for French-speaking applicants to pursue their Canadian dreams, requiring a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 486 for consideration.

An Insight into the Express Entry Draw #270

Latest Express Entry draw #270, held on October 25, 2023, followed closely on the heels of the previous draw on October 24. The draw on the 24th saw 1,548 candidates invited to the first Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-the only draw since May 10. Notably, the minimum CRS score for PNP draws tends to be higher, as candidates nominated by a province automatically receive an additional 600 CRS points.

The October 25 draw featured a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 486, indicating a 14-point increase compared to the previous draw targeting French-speaking candidates.

A Year of Records

IRCC’s proactive approach to immigration is evident as it has now conducted five draws specifically targeting French speakers. This is part of a larger trend in which IRCC has issued 91,621 ITAs in 2023, surpassing the 45,115 candidates invited in 2022. This steady increase aligns with Canada’s ambitious immigration target of 465,000 for 2023.

French Proficiency Drives Lower CRS in Express Entry Draws

Category-based draws like the French-language proficiency draw have become synonymous with lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) requirements. For instance, in a recent draw on September 28, a category-based draw focused on Express Entry candidates in agriculture occupations with 600 invitations and a CRS requirement of 354. In contrast, an all-program draw on September 26 invited 3,000 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 504. On September 27, only 500 candidates were invited, and the CRS dropped to 472.

This trend highlights the advantages of French proficiency, as demonstrated in the July 12 draw where Canada invited 3,800 Express Entry candidates with a minimum CRS cut-off of 375.

Understanding Category-Based Draws 2023

Earlier this year, IRCC introduced innovative draw categories that prioritize factors beyond the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This change stems from a groundbreaking law passed in June 2022, to invite candidates based on their potential contributions to Canada’s economy or their ability to promote the French language.

In May, IRCC unveiled six new categories for Express Entry candidates, focusing on strong French skills or experience in:

Healthcare

STEM fields

Trades

Transport

Agriculture and agri-food

So far, Canada has invited over 10,000 candidates through these category-based draws. All invitees were already in the Express Entry pool, highlighting Canada’s commitment to selecting candidates aligned with its economic and linguistic objectives.

Express Entry: Your Path to Canada

Canada’s Express Entry Draws 2023 are paving the way for skilled individuals to embark on a journey to Canadian permanent residency, making it a preferred choice for many aspiring immigrants. Stay tuned for the latest Express Entry draws and opportunities that could transform your dream of living and working in Canada into a reality.