IRCC has once again given an incredible boost to bilingual candidates through the Express Entry Draw October 27, 2026: Canada Invites 5,000 French Speakers as CRS Falls to 407 that came as the 64th draw of the year from the federal side. Falling in the specific French language category, IRCC made an issuance of 5,000 invitations for PR in Canada. The minimum qualifying CRS score saw a sharp drop of 28 points to 407.
Highlights of Express Entry Draw October 27, 2026
- Draw Date - October 27, 2026
- Draw Category - French Language Proficiency
- Total Invitations Issued - 5,000
- Minimum CRS Score Required - 407
Analysis of 28-Point Fall to CRS 407
The fall in the cutoff score from 435 on October 16 to 407 in the current round shows how continued large numbers of draws help clear the backlogs of candidates. IRCC has given out a total of 10,000 ITAs for the French category in just 11 days (5,000 on October 16 and another 5,000 on October 27). This made it easy for the cutoff score to be reduced to the 400s.
In comparison to other domestic programs such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), whose minimum CRS requirement was 519 in the last draw of October 15, eligible French-speaking candidates got an additional 112 points in favor of themselves.
2026 Draws Under French-Language Express Entry Program
Below is the table showing how the volume of ITAs and minimum CRS score requirements changed over time during the recent rounds of selections for the French-language category.
| Draw # | Draw Date | Invitations Issued (ITAs) | Minimum CRS Score | Score Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 452 | October 27, 2026 | 5,000 | 407 | -28 points |
| 450 | October 16, 2026 | 5,000 | 435 | +53 points |
| 437 | August 19, 2026 | 5,000 | 382 | -9 points |
| 433 | August 6, 2026 | 5,000 | 391 | -8 points |
| 429 | July 22, 2026 | 5,000 | 399 | -21 points |
| 425 | July 9, 2026 | 5,000 | 420 | +11 points |
With this draw over, IRCC has issued a total of 60,500 ITAs under the French-language proficiency program through 12 dedicated draws in 2026.
Eligibility Criteria for the French Category
In order to be eligible for selection under the French-language proficiency category, an applicant must meet the following criteria -
- Certified Test of Language Skills - Provide results of an approved test (TEF Canada or TCF Canada).
- Language Skill Levels - Achieve a minimum level of 7 on the NCLC scale (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) in speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.
- Eligibility Criteria for Core Programs - Meet the basic criteria of one of the three immigration programs of Express Entry.
What Invited Applicants Should Do Next
Invited applicants who received an ITA through the Express Entry Draw on October 27, 2026: Canada Invites 5,000 French Speakers as CRS Falls to 407 have 60 days to submit their digital applications for permanent residence status.
Important tasks for invited candidates -
- Check Test Scores - Confirm that the test score reports for your TEF or TCF tests are up-to-date and that they demonstrate an NCLC level of 7 in all four categories.
- Provide Work Experience - Collect signed statements, contracts and documentation from relevant tax agencies to confirm your skilled work experience in Canada or abroad that was claimed on the profile.
- Medical & Police Clearances - Get pre-clearance medical examinations from designated Panel Physicians and apply for police certificates for any country that you have lived in for six or more continuous months since you turned 18.
For candidates scoring under 407 points -
- Boost Your French Ability - Gaining marks in NCLC 7 to NCLC 8 or 9 could give you a handsome number of extra points either through category-based rules or general human capital ranking.
- Look Into the Streams in Provinces - Streams like Ontario OINP French-Speaking Skilled Worker could give you an alternative option for earning 600 extra points.
