On March 18, 2026, Canada executed a New Express Entry draw which selected candidates who demonstrated French language proficiency through its category-based selection system. The Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 4000 Invitations to Apply during this application round. The CRS cut-off score established a new record low threshold since recent draws because it fell below 400. The results show that Canada prioritizes increasing Francophone immigration through its language-based candidate selection which matches the requirements of the labor market.
Highlights of New Express Entry Draw
● Draw Date – 18 March 2026
● Program – French-Language Proficiency
● Number of Invitations – 4,000
● CRS Score – 393
Full Details of the March 18 Express Entry Draw
The recent Canada Express Entry draw selected 4000 applicants who demonstrated their French-language skills. The CRS score requirement for this draw started at 393 which made it easier to achieve than the latest draws.
The draw increased the total weekly invitations to 8362 ITAs which demonstrated IRCC’s strong commitment to reaching its immigration objectives for 2026.
Why CRS Score Fell Below 400
CRS Score of 393 which has fallen below 400, is one of the lowest CRS scores. It is attributed to the French Language Category.
Reasons behind the low CRS Score –
● Prioritization of French-speaking applicants outside of Quebec
● Lower number of applicants
● Government plans to increase Francophone immigration
● Category-based draws have fewer applicants
French Language Category has the lowest CRS Score compared to other draws like CEC or PNP.
Eligibility Criteria of the French Language Proficiency Draw
In order to be eligible, the applicant must have the following criteria –
● Must have a valid profile
● Must have a minimum of CLB 7 or more in the French language (TEF or TCF)
● Must be eligible for FSW, CEC, or FSTP
● Language test must be valid, and the test must have been taken less than 2 years ago
English proficiency is not required, but applicants with proficiency in both languages have more points.
What This Draw Means for Candidates
The March 18 Express Entry draw is a major opportunity for candidates who have CRS scores between 380 and 420 and who demonstrate strong French language skills and who meet the category-based eligibility requirements.
The 2026 Canadian immigration system demonstrates that skills hold greater value than CRS score in actual practice.
What Happens After Receiving an ITA
Candidates who receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) must submit their Canada PR application within 60 days.
Required documents include –
● Language test results
● Work experience proof
● Educational credentials
● Medical & police clearance
Processing time for Express Entry applications typically takes between four to six months.
All Express Entry Draws in March 2026
| Date | Category | CRS Score | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2 | PNP | 710 | 264 |
| Mar 3 | CEC | 508 | 4,000 |
| Mar 4 | French | 397 | 5,500 |
| Mar 5 | Senior Managers | 429 | 250 |
| Mar 16 | PNP | 742 | 362 |
| Mar 17 | CEC | 507 | 4,000 |
| Mar 18 | French | 393 | 4,000 |