Express Entry Draw 266 | 500 Invited in French Language Category

The latest Canadian Express Entry draw was just held. Express Entry draw 266 saw the Lowest CRS score of 472 and invited 500 eligible for category-based selection for French-language proficiency.

Express Entry Draw 266

Date of Draw: September 27, 2023

Number of Invitations Issued: 500

Minimum CRS: 472

Program Specified: French language proficiency (2023-1)

Tie-breaking rule: August 16, 2023 at 09:00:14 UTC

Fourth Draw for French Speakers

Express Entry draw 266 issued 500 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) of 472. This draw was category-specific, targeting candidates with French language proficiency. This means that all candidates selected in today’s draw had indicated and met the minimum French language requirements in their Express Entry profiles. To qualify as proficient in French, candidates need to attain a minimum score of 7 in all four language abilities on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens.

In comparison to all the previous category-specific draws for French language proficiency that have taken place this year, this one had the highest CRS cut-off score but the lowest number of invitations.

Furthermore, when compared to yesterday’s “No Program Specified” draw #265, which had a cut-off score of 504 and 3,000 issued invitation, today’s category-specific draw for French speakers was 32 points lower in terms of Lowest CRS, and also a much smaller number of invitations.

Since the first Specific Category draw that was conducted on June 28, a total of nine category-based draws have taken place. Draws for STEM occupations, Healthcare occupations, Transport occupations, Trade occupations and French speakers have all issued invitations. The only missing category is Agriculture and agri-food occupations.

Why Are French Language Skills Important in Canada?

In recent years, the Canadian government has been stepping up its efforts to attract French-speaking immigrants to communities across Canada. To encourage continued francophone immigration growth, the government has set a target of 4.4 percent of francophone immigrants settling outside Quebec by the end of 2023.

The push for increased francophone immigration is largely due to declining French-speaking populations across Canada. According to Statistics Canada, the percentage of Canadians who speak predominantly French at home fell to 19.2 percent in 2021 from 20 percent in 2016. In fact, the proportion of French speakers has declined in nearly all areas of Canada, including Quebec.

How Can I Apply for Express Entry?

Express Entry is a system used by the Canadian government to manage applications for Canadian permanent residency. Express Entry uses a point-based system, the CRS, to rank candidates’ profiles.

Applying to Express Entry is a two-step procedure. The first step is to submit your profile with the required documents. Required documents usually consist of language test results, educational credentials, and passport or travel documentation.

After you submit a profile and receive an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence, you can submit your complete application for the IRCC to review. Your complete application should include supporting documents such as reference letters, additional identity documents, police clearance certificates, and results of a medical examination.

Who Qualifies for this French Speaking Category?

According to the IRCC, to qualify for this category you must:

• have French-language test results that show a minimum score of 7 in all 4 language abilities on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens
• meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round

All requirements for each category can be viewed on the Canadian government’s website. 

Will Express Entry Still Hold All-Program Draws?

Yes, Express Entry will hold different types of draws throughout the year, not just category-based draws. There will be three types of rounds:

1. General round of invitations (all-program draws): General rounds of invitations invite the top-ranking candidates in the Express Entry pool who are eligible for 1 of the 3 Express Entry Programs. The 3 programs include the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
2. Program-specific rounds of invitations: Program-specific rounds invite the top-ranking candidates who are eligible for a specific Express Entry program. For example, the IRCC often has draws specifically for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), where only candidates who are eligible for a PNP are invited.
3. Category-based rounds of invitations: The Minister of Immigration will establish specific categories to meet specific economic goals across Canada. Once the categories are established, the top-ranking candidates in the pool who are eligible for this category will receive an invitation.

Previous Express Entry – French language proficiency Draws

• Express Entry Draw 260 | 800 Invited in French Language Draw
• Express Entry Draw 258 | 3,800 Invited in French Language Draw
• IRCC Announces First Francophone Express Entry Round (canadim.com)

Discover if your French language skills meet the criteria for Express Entry’s French Speaking Category.  Take the first step towards Canadian permanent residency!