On the 4th of September 2025, IRCC made its third Express Entry draw of the month and
in a historic manner, the draw targeted candidates with French language skills. This draw
resulted in an enormous issuance of 4,500 ITAs for permanent residence and was one of
the largest category-specific draws of the year.
Canada’s Focus on Francophone Immigration in Express Entry Draw
Drawn on 4 September, this particular category of the invitation was given only to candidates with very strong French speaking skills. The minimum CRS score of 446 for this draw waskept low compared to other categories in order to give entrants to the thousands of Francophone and bilingual candidates outside Quebec.
IRCC in its pronouncements has consistently shown its support for strengthening
Francophone minority communities in provinces such as Ontario, Manitoba and New
Brunswick. By prioritizing French speaking skilled workers, Canada hopes to achieve its
target of 30,000 Francophone newcomers by 2025.
Recent Express Entry Draw Trends
That was the third draw in a busy week of Express Entry draws:
● 2 September 2025 – 249 ITAs under PNP with a CRS cut off of 772.
● 3 September 2025 – 1,000 ITAs under the CEC with a CRS cut off of 514.
● 4 September 2025 – 4,500 ITAs under French language proficiency with a CRS
cut-off of 446.
IRCC has so far granted over 62,000 ITAs this year across sectors such as healthcare,
STEM, trades, transportation, CEC, PNP and Francophone language candidates.
Why This Express Entry Draw Matters
● Lower CRS Cut off – At a mere 446, these are among the lower thresholds that the
skilled candidates have faced for most of this year.
● Category based Selection – This reinforces the significance of French proficiency,
wherein candidates can receive as much as 50 bonus CRS points.
● Immigration Goals – Therefore, aligning with the overall ongoing framework of the
2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan to promote enhancement of bilingual workforce
participation in Canada.
Next Steps for Invited Candidates in Express Entry Draw
An ITA holder must –
1. Accept the invitation within 60 days on their IRCC profile.
2. Submit all documents such as language test results, Educational Credential
Assessment (ECA), police clearances and medical exams.
3. Pay the fees for processing (CAD1,365 for an adult in 2025).
4. Then wait for processing, which IRCC aims to complete within a six month period.
Once the application has been approved, the applicant will be issued a Confirmation of
Permanent Residence (COPR), which permits them to land in Canada.
Conclusion
With the 3rd Express Entry draw in September 2025 wherein 4,500 ITAs were issued and
a record low CRS cut off was fixed for Francophone candidates. More evidence that Canada
has maintained a commitment to linguistic diversity and skilled immigration. This is a prime
time for French speaking professionals in the Express Entry pool to secure permanent
residence and contribute to the expanding bilingual communities of Canada.
