Canada Invites 4,500 Express Entry Candidates in Latest Draw with Lowest CRS Score Since August 2024
On March 6, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a targeted Express Entry draw for French-speaking candidates, issuing 4,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency. This draw had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score of 410,marking the lowest CRS requirement since August 2024.
Significance of the March 6 Draw
Lowest CRS Score in Recent Months: The cut-off score of 410 is the lowest recorded since August 2024, making this draw more accessible to a larger pool of candidates.
Emphasis on French-Speaking Candidates:This draw is part of Canada's ongoing effort to attract francophone immigrants, especially outside Quebec, to strengthen bilingual communities across the country.
Large Number of Invitations:With 4,500 ITAs issued, this was one of the largest French-language proficiency draws in 2025, following the February 19 draw, which invited 6,500 candidates with a CRS cut-off of 428.
Canada’s Focus on French-Speaking Immigration
The federal government has been prioritizing French-speaking skilled workers through targeted draws, aiming to support bilingualism and address labor shortages in francophone communities.By lowering the CRS threshold,Canada is encouraging more French-speaking professionals to apply for permanent residency.
As Express Entry draws continue in 2025,candidates with strong French language skills,provincial nominations, or Canadian work experience are likely to benefit from targeted draws with competitive CRS cut-off scores.