Ottawa, ON — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted one of its largest Express Entry draws of the year, issuing 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with French-language proficiency. The October 29 draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 416, making it the third-largest Express Entry draw in 2025.
Candidates eligible for this round were required to have created their Express Entry profile before September 8, 2025, at 3:27 p.m. UTC. This latest selection continues IRCC’s ongoing commitment to attracting and retaining Francophone immigrants outside Quebec, in line with Canada’s Official Languages Act and the government’s efforts to strengthen bilingualism nationwide.
As of this draw, candidates with French-language proficiency have received a total of 36,000 invitations in 2025 — the highest among all Express Entry categories. This marks a continuation of IRCC’s strong emphasis on French-speaking newcomers, following record draws earlier in the year on February 19 (6,500 ITAs) and March 21 (7,500 ITAs).
In total, 80,485 ITAs have been issued through the Express Entry system so far in 2025. This year’s draws have targeted multiple key categories, including the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Healthcare and Social Services, Education, and Trade Occupations.
The October 29 French-language proficiency draw follows three recent rounds held in the same month — including a CEC draw on October 28 (1,000 ITAs), a PNP draw on October 27 (302 ITAs), and a Healthcare and Social Services draw on October 15 (2,500 ITAs).
The updated distribution of invitations by program type for 2025 is as follows:
- French-language proficiency: 36,000 ITAs
- Canadian Experience Class: 22,850 ITAs
- Healthcare and Social Services: 9,792 ITAs
- Provincial Nominee Program: 7,249 ITAs
- Education: 3,500 ITAs
- Trade: 1,250 ITAs
IRCC’s focused approach on French-language candidates reflects the department’s strategy to boost Francophone immigration in communities across Canada and support the vitality of French-speaking minority regions.
With this latest draw, Canada continues to advance its 2025 immigration targets while addressing labour shortages, language diversity, and regional population growth objectives.
For more information on Express Entry draws and immigration pathways, visit www.canada.ca/express-entry