Canada issued 5,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to French-language candidates in Express Entry draw #450 held on October 16 and announced on October 17. With a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off of just 435, the round is both the largest and the lowest-scoring French-category draw since IRCC began occupation- and language-specific selections in 2023. The draw is the third federal invitation round in a single week, following a 2,500-candidate Canadian Experience Class draw on October 15 and a 752-person PNP draw on October 13. Together the trio pushed total federal ITAs for the week to 8,252—one of the most active periods since Express Entry launched in 2015. IRCC says the aggressive French-language target supports its mandate to boost Francophone immigration outside Quebec to 8 per cent of total admissions by 2028. French speakers who obtain permanent residence may also qualify for settlement grants and employer wage subsidies in designated Francophone minority communities. For employers, the low CRS threshold means bilingual talent currently working or studying in Canada have an unprecedented window to lock in permanent status, improving retention. Companies should encourage eligible staff to update language test results and ensure job-offer details are accurate in their Express Entry profiles to maximise points before future rounds. Analysts expect IRCC to run at least one more French-category draw before year-end but caution that scores could rebound if inventory thins. Candidates who cleared the 435 mark have 60 days to submit a complete electronic application for permanent residence, including police certificates and biometrics.
Source: IRCC.com
