Canada Invites 4,500 Express Entry Candidates in French-Language Proficiency Draw
2025-03-07 | Abroad Pathway Immigration | Leave a Comment
On March 6, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a French-language proficiency draw under the Express Entry system, issuing 4,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 410, marking the lowest CRS cut-off since August 2024.
Overview of Latest Express Entry Draws
Draw Highlights
- Date of Draw: March 6th 2025
- Number of Invitations Issued: 4,500
- CRS Cutoff Score: 410
- Targeted Occupations/Streams: French language proficiency
- Next Steps for Applicants
The March 6 draw is the second of the month, following a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on March 3. In 2025, IRCC has focused primarily on Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and PNP candidates, aligning with its commitment to prioritize in-Canada applicants. To date, there have been four PNP draws and three CEC draws this year.
As of March 6, 2025, IRCC has held two category-based selection draws targeting candidates with French-language proficiency. The previous draw, on February 19, issued 6,500 ITAs to candidates with advanced French skills.
Priority Categories for 2025
IRCC recently announced its priority categories for 2025, adding education occupations to the list. The priority categories are:
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare and social services occupations
- Trade occupations
- Education occupations
These categories reflect Canada's focus on addressing specific labor market needs and promoting linguistic diversity.
Upcoming Changes to CRS Points for Job Offers
In the spring of 2025, IRCC plans to remove CRS points for job offers of arranged employment under the Express Entry system. This change could reduce some candidates' CRS scores by up to 50 or 200 points, significantly impacting their chances of receiving an ITA.
A valid job offer, as defined by IRCC, must be:
- Full-time and non-seasonal
- At least one year in duration
- For a skilled job in a National Occupation Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) level 0, 1, 2, or 3
- Recent (issued within the last year)
- From an employer who is not an embassy, consulate, or high commission
Additionally, valid job offers typically require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to demonstrate that no Canadian worker is available to fill the role.
Candidates currently receiving CRS points for such job offers should be aware of the impending changes and consider how this may affect their Express Entry profiles.
