Canada conducted First-Ever Express Entry Draw for French-speaking Immigrants

Canada conducted its fourth consecutive Express Entry Draw on July 7, 2023, inviting 2,300 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 439 to apply for the Canada PR visa through Draw #256.

In an effort to support economic growth through Francophone immigration outside Quebec, Canada has customized its Express Entry system to offer a streamlined and efficient pathway specifically designed for French-speaking immigrants. Consequently, in this draw, Canada aimed to attract and facilitate the entry of French-speaking candidates who can contribute to the country’s economic development.

Additionally, this is the lowest CRS score after August 2021.

The government utilizes targeted draws for specific categories to focus on individuals with skills and occupations in high demand in Canada. These draws allow the government to prioritize candidates with the skills and expertise required by the Canadian job market. Additionally, as the cut-off score for these category-specific draws is typically lower than in all-program draws, individuals, falling into these targeted categories have a greater chance of receiving invitations for the Canada PR visa.

Moreover, these types of draws consider additional criteria beyond just CRS scores. This approach promotes inclusivity and diversity by allowing individuals with a wide range of profiles and experiences to be selected. By considering factors beyond CRS scores, Canada aims to attract a diverse pool of talented individuals who can contribute to the country’s economic growth and cultural enrichment.

In addition to the total number of invitations issued, the accompanying information also includes the base score of the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

Category: French Language Proficiency
Invitations Issued: 2300
Minimum CRS Score: 439
Tie-breaking rule: January 20, 2023 (at 17:18:32 UTC)

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CRS Score distribution in the express entry

As of July 4, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reported that a total of 214,529 immigrants had successfully uploaded their profiles to the Express Entry system. Out of these, the majority of immigrants, specifically 54,732 individuals, had CRS scores ranging between 451 and 500. Following that, there were 726 immigrants with scores between 501 and 600, and 353 applications with scores falling between 601 and 1200. These figures provide an overview of the CRS score distribution among the immigrant profiles in the Express Entry system as of the specified date.

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