Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) surprised candidates on December 17, 2025 with the largest French-language proficiency Express Entry draw ever held. The department invited 6,000 candidates who scored at least 399 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), pushing the month’s total invitations to almost 20,000 and firmly signalling the government’s intent to accelerate permanent-resident admissions before year-end.
Background and context Canada began running category-based draws in mid-2023 to fine-tune Express Entry selections around labour-market gaps and demographic goals. French-language draws have been used as a lever to bolster Francophone communities outside Quebec and help employers fill bilingual roles. Until now, Francophone rounds typically issued 1,000–2,000 invitations with CRS cut-offs in the mid-400s; breaking the 6,000-ITA barrier and dipping below 400 marks a historic lowering of the bar for qualified French speakers.
What the numbers tell us With 19,522 invitations so far this month, December has already eclipsed all other months of 2025. IRCC is clearly aligning selection volumes with the new 2026–28 Immigration Levels Plan, which keeps annual permanent-resident targets near 380,000 but shifts admissions toward economic classes. A surge of invitations now gives the department a queue of candidates whose applications can be finalized in the next six to nine months, supporting next year’s targets even as application intake slows under tighter student and work-permit rules.
![IRCC issues record-breaking 6,000 invitations in French-language Express Entry draw]()
Practical implications
• French-speaking foreign nationals in the Express Entry pool suddenly have a realistic shot at receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) with sub-400 scores, provided they hold at least CLB 7 in French across all four skills.
• Employers outside Quebec gain earlier access to bilingual talent, particularly in customer-facing sectors that struggle to hire domestically.
• Existing candidates with strong English but only intermediate French may consider upgrading their TEF/TCF test results to fall under the Francophone category in future rounds.
For applicants who prefer expert guidance navigating Canada’s evolving immigration landscape, VisaHQ offers end-to-end assistance—from document gathering to real-time status tracking—helping you submit a complete and compliant application on the first try. Explore how our advisors can streamline Express Entry, work permits and other Canadian visas at https://www.visahq.com/canada/.
Looking ahead IRCC is expected to continue alternating between general, occupation-specific and language-specific draws. However, the magnitude of this week’s selections suggests the department has confidence in its new digital processing platform and staffing levels. Candidates should watch for possible follow-up rounds in January that mop up high-scoring profiles before the department resets its annual invitation rhythm.
Background and context Canada began running category-based draws in mid-2023 to fine-tune Express Entry selections around labour-market gaps and demographic goals. French-language draws have been used as a lever to bolster Francophone communities outside Quebec and help employers fill bilingual roles. Until now, Francophone rounds typically issued 1,000–2,000 invitations with CRS cut-offs in the mid-400s; breaking the 6,000-ITA barrier and dipping below 400 marks a historic lowering of the bar for qualified French speakers.
What the numbers tell us With 19,522 invitations so far this month, December has already eclipsed all other months of 2025. IRCC is clearly aligning selection volumes with the new 2026–28 Immigration Levels Plan, which keeps annual permanent-resident targets near 380,000 but shifts admissions toward economic classes. A surge of invitations now gives the department a queue of candidates whose applications can be finalized in the next six to nine months, supporting next year’s targets even as application intake slows under tighter student and work-permit rules.
Practical implications
• French-speaking foreign nationals in the Express Entry pool suddenly have a realistic shot at receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) with sub-400 scores, provided they hold at least CLB 7 in French across all four skills.
• Employers outside Quebec gain earlier access to bilingual talent, particularly in customer-facing sectors that struggle to hire domestically.
• Existing candidates with strong English but only intermediate French may consider upgrading their TEF/TCF test results to fall under the Francophone category in future rounds.
For applicants who prefer expert guidance navigating Canada’s evolving immigration landscape, VisaHQ offers end-to-end assistance—from document gathering to real-time status tracking—helping you submit a complete and compliant application on the first try. Explore how our advisors can streamline Express Entry, work permits and other Canadian visas at https://www.visahq.com/canada/.
Looking ahead IRCC is expected to continue alternating between general, occupation-specific and language-specific draws. However, the magnitude of this week’s selections suggests the department has confidence in its new digital processing platform and staffing levels. Candidates should watch for possible follow-up rounds in January that mop up high-scoring profiles before the department resets its annual invitation rhythm.
