Express Entry 2026: Canada Makes History with the Largest French-Language Draw

Published by: Di Leone Group – Canadian Immigration Consultants
Date: February  9,   2026

Canada continues to refine its immigration strategy, and 2026 is already setting historic milestones. On February 6, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued the largest category-based Express Entry draw ever, targeting candidates with French-language proficiency.

In this historic round, 8,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued with a minimum CRS score of only 400, opening the door to thousands of candidates who would not usually be competitive in general draws.

At Di Leone Group, we break down what this draw means, who benefits the most, and how you can strategically position yourself to take advantage of this opportunity.

📌 Latest Round of Invitations – French-Language Proficiency (2026 – Version 2)

Date: February 6, 2026
Draw type: Category-based – French-language proficiency
Minimum CRS score: 400
Number of ITAs issued: 8,500
Rank required: 8,500 or above
Tie-breaking rule: February 3, 2026 at 11:11:44 UTC

👉 If more than one candidate had the lowest CRS score, IRCC prioritized those who submitted their Express Entry profile before the tie-breaking date and time.

This draw officially becomes the largest French-language category-based draw in Express Entry history.

🇨🇦 Why Is Canada Strongly Prioritizing French Speakers?

The Canadian government is actively working to:

• Strengthen Francophone communities outside Quebec

• Attract bilingual talent to key economic sectors

• Support long-term demographic and economic growth across provinces

💡 Important: You do not need to live in Quebec to benefit from French-language Express Entry draws.

🧮 How Do Express Entry Rounds of Invitations Work?

IRCC conducts multiple rounds of invitations throughout the year following this process:

1. The government decides which type of draw to hold

2. It determines how many candidates are needed

3. The highest-ranking eligible profiles are selected from the pool

4. Invitations to Apply (ITAs) are issued for permanent residence

Only candidates eligible under one of the three Express Entry programs can enter the pool:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

🔍 Types of Express Entry Draws

1️⃣ General draws

IRCC invites the highest-ranking candidates across all Express Entry programs.

2️⃣ Program-specific draws

These target candidates eligible for a specific program, such as:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

3️⃣ Category-based draws

Introduced to meet specific economic goals, including:

• French-language proficiency

• Healthcare occupations

• STEM professions

• Skilled trades

📌 The February 6, 2026 draw falls under this third category.

📊 Express Entry Summary – 2026 (So Far)

Express Entry draws in 2026

👉 Total ITAs issued in 2026: 24,178

ITAs by draw type

• Canadian Experience Class: 14,000 ITAs

• French-language proficiency: 8,500 ITAs

• Provincial Nominee Program: 1,255 ITAs

👥 Who Benefits Most from This Draw?

This historic draw is especially beneficial for:

✅ Bilingual professionals (French + English)
✅ Candidates with mid-range CRS scores (400–470)
✅ International students with advanced French
✅ Temporary foreign workers in Canada
✅ Professionals from Latin America and Europe with French proficiency

⚠️ Speaking French is not enough — language ability must be proven through IRCC-approved exams.

💬 Di Leone Group Professional Insight

This draw confirms a clear trend: Canada is prioritizing strategic talent over extremely high CRS scores.

A CRS cut-off of 400 would have been unthinkable in general draws just a few years ago. Today, French-language proficiency has become a powerful immigration accelerator.

With the right strategy, many candidates who were previously not competitive can now realistically achieve permanent residence.

📞 What Should You Do Next?

Every immigration profile is unique. The difference between receiving an ITA or not often comes down to:

• Choosing the right Express Entry strategy

• Targeting the correct draw type

• Optimizing language scores, education, and work experience

🎯 Book your personalized consultation with Di Leone Group to assess whether category-based draws like this one can work for you.