Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 4,500 new Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system in one of its largest French-language proficiency draws of the year. Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 432 and needed to have submitted their Express Entry profiles before 7:07 p.m. UTC on June 13, 2025.
This is the largest draw since September 4, when IRCC held another 4,500-ITA round for French-speaking candidates. Throughout 2025, French-language category draws have consistently had the highest invitation numbers. The most significant was held on March 21, when 7,500 invitations were issued in a single round. So far this year, French-speaking candidates have received 30,000 invitations — more than any other category.
This latest draw is the second in October, following a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw on October 1. It also comes on the heels of a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on September 29 and a Trades category draw on September 18. In total, IRCC has issued 70,338 invitations through Express Entry so far in 2025.
The year’s draws have primarily focused on the PNP stream, followed by CEC, French-language candidates, and targeted occupation-based categories. PNP draws have been held 18 times, while there have been 10 CEC rounds, six French-language draws, four healthcare and social services draws, two education draws, and one trades draw.
In terms of total invitations by stream, French-speaking candidates lead with 30,000 ITAs. They are followed by Canadian Experience Class candidates with 21,850, healthcare and social services with 7,500, PNP with 6,947, education with 3,500, and trades with 1,250.
The federal government has set higher targets for Francophone immigration outside Quebec for the upcoming year, a shift that could mean more frequent and sizable French-language draws through Express Entry. These draws are part of Ottawa’s strategy to boost Francophone communities across the country and address labour shortages through targeted immigration streams.