Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted Express Entry Draw #401 on March 4, 2026, issuing 5,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the French-Language Proficiency 2026-Version 2 category. The minimum CRS score required was 397 points.

5,500 ITAs is the largest single French-language draw of 2026 and one of the largest French draws in Express Entry history. With a CRS floor of 397, this draw confirms what we have been saying for months: if you speak French, Express Entry is dramatically more accessible for you than for English-only candidates. Start with our Eligibility Assessment to check your eligibility.

Draw #401 at a Glance

5,500 ITAs — Why So Many?

IRCC has aggressive Francophone immigration targets under its broader official languages strategy. The government has committed to increasing the proportion of French-speaking immigrants settling outside Quebec to 8.5% of total economic immigrants. To hit that target, IRCC needs to run large, frequent French draws throughout 2026. Draw #401's 5,500 invitations is a direct expression of that commitment.

CRS 397 — The Math for French Speakers

At 397, the bar is remarkably low. Here is a realistic example of a qualifying profile: an accountant from Morocco with a Bachelor's degree, 3 years of foreign work experience, TEF Canada scores at CLB 7 in French, and IELTS scores at CLB 7 in English. That bilingual profile will typically score between 410 and 460 — well above 397. Use our CRS Simulator to model your exact profile.

French Draws vs All-Program Draws — The Gap

The cutoff gap between French draws and all-program draws in 2026 tells the whole story:

That 100-point gap represents years of profile-building for an English-only candidate. For a French speaker, it's a built-in advantage they can activate right now. Use our CLB Converter to see how your French test scores translate to CLB levels.

Provincial Francophone Pathways to Stack Your Advantage

French speakers can combine Express Entry French draws with provincial PNP Francophone streams for maximum speed. Active streams include:

Use our PNP Program Finder to match your French-language profile to active provincial streams.

My Take

Draw #401 with 5,500 ITAs at CRS 397 is one of the most significant Express Entry draws of early 2026. If you speak French and have been sitting on your profile, waiting for a better moment — this was it. And another draw like this will come. The volume and frequency of French draws in 2026 makes this a repeatable, predictable pathway. Get your profile ready and use our Eligibility Assessment to confirm you'll be in the pool for the next one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the largest French Express Entry draw in 2026?

Draw #401 on March 4, 2026 issued 5,500 ITAs — the largest French-language draw of 2026 and one of the largest in Express Entry history.

Do I need to live in Canada to qualify for a French draw?

No. French-Language Proficiency draws accept candidates inside and outside Canada. You need a valid Express Entry profile and French CLB 7+ scores on an accepted test (TEF Canada or TCF Canada).

Is bilingualism better than French-only for Express Entry?

Yes. Submitting scores for both French and English unlocks the bilingualism CRS bonus and makes you eligible for both French category draws and all-program draws. Use our CLB Converter to calculate the CRS impact of adding English scores.

How does the French CRS cutoff compare to English draws?

In early 2026, French draws cut off at 393–400 while all-program draws required 500–515. French speakers have a structural 100+ point advantage in the Express Entry system.

Which French language test does IRCC accept?

IRCC accepts TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French proficiency assessment. DELF/DALF is not accepted for Express Entry purposes.