Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) surprised many immigration observers on 28 November 2025 with an outsized, French-language Express Entry draw that invited 6,000 candidates to apply for permanent residence. The selection round—the sixth Express Entry draw of November—required a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of just 408, the second-lowest cut-off of the entire year and a full 123 points below the average CRS threshold for general draws in 2025.
The draw is part of IRCC’s category-based selection system, introduced in 2023 to align immigration invitations with labour-market priorities. French-speaking newcomers have become a marquee target: Ottawa’s latest Immigration Levels Plan (2026-28) sets a record-high goal of 12 per cent French-language admissions outside Québec by 2029. Large draws such as this one help provinces from Ontario to New Brunswick bolster francophone communities that have faced decades of demographic decline.
![IRCC issues 6,000 ITAs in French-language Express Entry draw, slashing CRS cut-off to 408]()
For employers, the lower CRS score is significant. Bilingual candidates working in public administration, health care, education and community services—sectors where French is an operational asset—now have an accelerated path to permanent residence. Companies that depend on bilingual talent should therefore review their global-mobility pipelines: employees with intermediate French (NCLC 7 or higher) may now clear the Express Entry bar earlier than forecast, shortening assignment lead times and reducing reliance on provincial nominee programs or intra-company transfer work permits.
Practically, invited candidates have 60 days to submit a complete electronic application for permanent residence. IRCC processing targets remain at six months; however, recent francophone files have averaged four to five months, according to immigration lawyers. Employers sponsoring critical foreign workers should move quickly to gather police clearances, medicals and employment reference letters so that candidates can file on time.
Companies without French-speaking talent may still benefit indirectly. By siphoning francophone candidates out of the general Express Entry pool, the cut-off for future all-program or occupation-specific draws could fall, especially in early 2026 when inventory typically dips. Mobility managers should monitor the next IRCC round—expected in mid-December—for further evidence of this trend.
The draw is part of IRCC’s category-based selection system, introduced in 2023 to align immigration invitations with labour-market priorities. French-speaking newcomers have become a marquee target: Ottawa’s latest Immigration Levels Plan (2026-28) sets a record-high goal of 12 per cent French-language admissions outside Québec by 2029. Large draws such as this one help provinces from Ontario to New Brunswick bolster francophone communities that have faced decades of demographic decline.
For employers, the lower CRS score is significant. Bilingual candidates working in public administration, health care, education and community services—sectors where French is an operational asset—now have an accelerated path to permanent residence. Companies that depend on bilingual talent should therefore review their global-mobility pipelines: employees with intermediate French (NCLC 7 or higher) may now clear the Express Entry bar earlier than forecast, shortening assignment lead times and reducing reliance on provincial nominee programs or intra-company transfer work permits.
Practically, invited candidates have 60 days to submit a complete electronic application for permanent residence. IRCC processing targets remain at six months; however, recent francophone files have averaged four to five months, according to immigration lawyers. Employers sponsoring critical foreign workers should move quickly to gather police clearances, medicals and employment reference letters so that candidates can file on time.
Companies without French-speaking talent may still benefit indirectly. By siphoning francophone candidates out of the general Express Entry pool, the cut-off for future all-program or occupation-specific draws could fall, especially in early 2026 when inventory typically dips. Mobility managers should monitor the next IRCC round—expected in mid-December—for further evidence of this trend.
