A total of 4,000 ITAs were issued by IRCC in an Express Entry draw held on April 29, 2026, based on the French language proficiency category (version 2).
The cut-off score in this draw is 400, signaling the CRS cut-off score we have been expecting in our previous post regarding francophone selection.
Furthermore, the cut-off score of 400 shows how French language proficiency-based selection in this category has enabled numerous qualified applicants from within and outside Canada to benefit immensely.
Full Details Of The Express Entry Draw On April 29
- Category: French language proficiency Version 2
- Date and time: April 29, 2026 at 11:02:27 UTC
- CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 400
- Number of invitations issued: 4,000
- Rank required: 4,000 or above
- Tie-breaking rule: April 07, 2026 at 20:13:59 UTC
The CRS cut-off mark has been reduced by 19 points when compared to the latest French category draw that was conducted only 14 days ago.
The cut-off mark is 400, making this draw one of the easiest ever draws held based on categories, especially for candidates who have put in efforts towards improving their French language skills.
Tie-breaking rule explained
A tie-break will be necessary if the number of candidates meeting the cut-off score exceeds the number of invitations available.
The tie-break rule used by IRCC will be based on the timestamp method for inviting candidates who meet the cut-off score.
For this draw:
- The cut-off CRS is 400.
- If your CRS is higher than 400, a tie-break typically does not impact you.
- If your CRS is exactly 400, you receive an ITA only if your Express Entry profile submission time is earlier than April 07, 2026 at 20:13:59 UTC
Implication: applicants who are serious about obtaining an invitation in French-language draws should try to register themselves in the Express Entry pool as early as possible.
How to qualify for the French language proficiency category (practical criteria)
French-language selection for the Express Entry program means “not anyone who can speak French.”
Rather, this applies only to those individuals participating in the Express Entry system who actually satisfy IRCC’s French-language proficiency requirements and who qualify in one of the three economic immigration streams under the Express Entry system.
Proof of high-level proficiency in French is obtained via a recognized IRCC language test.
- Accepted French tests:
- TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français pour le Canada)
- TCF Canada (Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada)
- Minimum scores required:
- An NCLC 7 (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien) or higher in all four language abilities: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
IRCC assigns your NCLC score based on the equivalency table between your raw TEF Canada or TCF Canada scores.
Self-reporting is not acceptable; you will need a test report number in your profile.
Key reminders:
- The test must still be valid on the date of draw and when you submit your PR application (validity: two years from the test date).
- If your test expires before you receive an ITA, you must retake it; expired scores make a profile ineligible for category selection.
- You can also include English test results (IELTS General Training or CELPIP-G) for additional CRS points, but the category requirement is tied only to your French test.
The fifth French-language proficiency category of 2026 clearly illustrates the growing trend in which selection into the French language category has continued to be one of the busiest categories within the Express Entry system administered by IRCC this year.
With an issuance of 4,000 invitations and CRS score cut-off at 400, the selection round of April 29 has once again provided an excellent chance for people with outstanding French test results and eligibility under one of the three Express Entry managed immigration programs.”
The ITA, although exciting, needs to be seen as a deadline rather than a celebration since the quickest processes are associated with applications in which all claims are clean, proven, and consistent.
Not selected in this draw? Do not guess when the next round will take place; improve your profile in order to turn the next selection round into a submission opportunity, not into scrambling for an answer.
Applicants invited by the government should now concentrate on submitting their application for permanent residence by the deadline, whereas other potential applicants should make use of this round as a motivation for improving their language proficiency scores and updating their profiles accordingly.