Express Entry Draw 291 | 1,500 Invited

The latest Canadian Express Entry draw was just held!. Express Entry draw 291 saw the Lowest CRS score of 388 and invited 1,500 candidates eligible for French Language Proficiency category.

Express Entry Draw 291

Date of Draw: March 26, 2024 at 15:59:36 UTC

Number of Invitations Issued: 1,500

Minimum CRS: 388

Program Specified: French language proficiency (2023-1)

Tie-breaking rule: March 10, 2024 at 20:06:26 UTC

Third Draw for French Speakers in 2024

Express Entry draw #291 issued 1,500 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) of 388. 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.

Today’s draw in the French language proficiency category of the Express Entry program marks a significant shift from the previous one held on February 29, 2024 which was the second draw of the year for this category. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of the lowest-ranked candidate in today’s draw was increased by 52 points, a notable increase compared to earlier thresholds. However, the total number of invitations issued today was notably lower, at just 1,500, compared to the 7,000 invitations issued in the first draw of the year for the same category.

Express Entry – French Language Category Draws 2024

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 for francophone immigrants settling outside Quebec for the upcoming years.

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% in 2021 from 20% in 2016. In fact, the proportion of French speakers has declined in nearly all areas of Canada, including Quebec.

The Official Languages Action Plan 2023-2028 allocates $137.2 million over a five-year period to promote Francophone immigration to Canada. This initiative introduces measures across the immigration continuum, including the implementation of a novel Francophone immigration policy. This funding is an additional investment, complementing the ongoing support of $84.3 million from prior action plans.

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.

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.

Number of Candidates in the Current Express Entry Pool

The IRCC updates the number of people in the Express Entry pool a few days before an invitation round takes place. Numbers change as new profiles are submitted, profiles expire or are issued an ITA.

As of today the composition of the Express Entry pool is:

Express Entry Pool of Candidates

Will Express Entry Still Hold All-Program Draws?

Express Entry holds different types of draws, not just category-based draws. There are 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.

Latest Express Entry Draw for All categories!

Check here the full list of the Express entry draws that were held this year:

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