IRCC Invites 4,500 Express Entry Candidates in Latest French-Language Draw – Lowest CRS Score Since August 2024

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted another Express Entry draw, issuing 4,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with strong French-language proficiency. This latest draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 410, making it the lowest CRS cut-off since August 2024.

To be eligible, candidates had to submit their Express Entry profiles before 7:47 AM UTC on February 11, 2025.

Recent Express Entry Draws in 2025

IRCC has conducted multiple draws in 2025, primarily targeting Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. Here’s a quick summary of the most recent draws:

So far in 2025, IRCC has conducted two category-based selection draws for French-speaking candidates, including one on February 19 that issued 6,500 ITAs. These draws align with Canada’s goal of attracting more French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec.

New Priority Categories for 2025

IRCC has also announced its priority categories for 2025, adding education occupations to the list. This year’s priority categories include:

• French-language proficiency
• Healthcare and social services occupations
• Trade occupations
• Education occupations

These categories reflect Canada’s efforts to fill labor market gaps and boost the economy by inviting candidates with in-demand skills.

Job Offers and Express Entry – What You Need to Know

Many foreign workers in Canada wonder if their current job qualifies as an arranged employment offer under Express Entry. However, having a work permit does not necessarily mean you have a valid job offer for CRS points.

To qualify for CRS points under Express Entry, a job offer must:

• Be full-time and non-seasonal
• Be valid for at least one year
• Be in a skilled occupation under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
• Be recently issued (within the last year)
• Come from an eligible employer (not an embassy, consulate, or high commission)

Additionally, most job offers require Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) approval, which proves that no Canadian worker was available to fill the role.

Upcoming Changes to CRS Points for Job Offers

IRCC has announced that later this year, it will remove CRS points for arranged employment under Express Entry. This could reduce some candidates’ CRS scores by 50 to 200 points, significantly affecting their chances of receiving an ITA.

If your Express Entry score includes points for an arranged job offer, you may be impacted by this change. However, CRS points from work experience (whether Canadian or foreign) will remain unaffected.

Final Thoughts

With lower CRS score requirements and new priority categories, Express Entry remains a competitive pathway to Canadian immigration. If you’re a French-speaking candidate or work in a priority sector, you may have a higher chance of receiving an ITA in upcoming draws.