Express Entry draws, tracked.
Every documented French-language round of 2026, the CRS gap between French and CEC candidates, the 2025 trend that explains it — and what the 3 November pause means for your profile.
By Shivangi, Certified TEF Oral Examiner · Last updated: 19 October 2026
Key takeaway
The latest draw: 16 October 2026
This is the highest French-language cut-off recorded in 2026 — 53 points above the 382 that opened the year — and it still sits 72 points below the 507 floor of CEC rounds this year.
2026 at a glance
- Draws held
- 62
- ITAs issued
- 143,467
- French CRS range
- 382 – 435
- French average
- 404
Draws and ITA totals cover all categories, not the French lane alone.
The CRS gap: 404 vs 514
Average cut-off by draw category in 2026. The French-language lane is not a marginal advantage — it is the lowest threshold of any major category by more than 60 points.
| Category | 2026 CRS range | Average | vs French |
|---|---|---|---|
| French-language | 382 – 435 | 404 | — |
| Healthcare | 467 – 475 | 471 | +67 |
| Trades | 476 – 477 | 476 | +72 |
| CEC | 507 – 523 | 514 | +110 |
−110 points. That is what French proficiency is worth at the draw level in 2026 — the difference between a 404 average and a 514 average. No other single factor available to a candidate moves the line that far.
2026 French-language draws, one by one
Ten documented rounds from 6 February to 19 August 2026 — 50,500 invitations in total, with cut-offs climbing from 382 to 420 across the series.
| Draw date | ITAs issued | CRS cut-off |
|---|---|---|
| 6 February 2026 | 8,500 | 382 |
| 4 March 2026 | 5,500 | 388 |
| 18 March 2026 | 4,000 | 395 |
| 15 April 2026 | 4,000 | 400 |
| 29 April 2026 | 4,000 | 405 |
| 28 May 2026 | 4,500 | 408 |
| 9 July 2026 | 5,000 | 412 |
| 22 July 2026 | 5,000 | 415 |
| 6 August 2026 | 5,000 | 418 |
| 19 August 2026 | 5,000 | 420 |
| Total · 10 draws | 50,500 | 382 → 420 |
The 16 October round, reported separately
Draw #450 on 16 October 2026 issued 5,000 invitations at a CRS cut-off of 435. It falls outside the ten-round series above, so we report it on its own rather than folding it into the total. The 2026 French-language range across both sources is 382 to 435, average 404.
We do not interpolate the rounds between 19 August and 16 October. If a round is not in the documented record, it does not appear here.
2025: the year cut-offs fell for five straight rounds
After peaking at 481 in August 2025, the French cut-off dropped in every subsequent round that year — 446, 432, 416, 408, 399 — while invitation volumes grew from 2,500 to 6,000 per round.
| Draw date | ITAs issued | CRS cut-off |
|---|---|---|
| 19 February 2025 | 6,500 | 428 |
| 6 March 2025 | 4,500 | 410 |
| 21 March 2025 | 7,500 | 379 |
| 8 August 2025 | 2,500 | 481 |
| 4 September 2025 | 4,500 | 446 |
| 6 October 2025 | 4,500 | 432 |
| 29 October 2025 | 6,000 | 416 |
| 28 November 2025 | 6,000 | 408 |
| 17 December 2025 | 6,000 | 399 |
The lesson is not that cut-offs only fall. It is that they move with the size and strength of the eligible pool in each round — which is why 2026 ran the opposite way, climbing from 382 to 435. Neither direction changes the structural point: the French lane clears far below every other category.
The 3 November pause — and why it matters
Express Entry draws pause for up to two weeks from 3 November 2026 while IRCC automatically recalculates CRS scores for every active profile under new Ministerial Instructions.
What changes on 3 November
- High-wage occupation points. Up to 70 additional points through Canadian work experience, or up to 100 through a qualifying job offer, for candidates in 186 designated high-wage occupations.
- LMIA removal. A temporary public policy exempts invited candidates from needing an LMIA for their job offer during FSW and FSTP eligibility assessment.
- Automatic recalculation. Your score is updated for you. No application, no form, no fee.
What to do before the pause ends
- Confirm your NOC code is correct — the high-wage factor is keyed to it.
- If you hold a qualifying job offer, update your profile immediately.
- If your TEF or TCF result is close, finish it — NCLC 7 in all four is the gate.
- Expect the first French round after the pause to be heavily contested.
One caution. The 2026 CRS consultation is step 3 of 6 in the federal regulatory process. Nothing it recommends has legal force until it is published in the Canada Gazette — and even at maximum speed, no CRS reform takes effect before 2028. The 3 November changes are separate: they are Ministerial Instructions with a confirmed effective date.
What the numbers mean for you
NCLC 7 is the whole game
All four abilities, no exceptions. A 554 in speaking does not compensate for a 6 in writing — IRCC scores each skill independently and the category gate is per-skill.
The lane is separate
French rounds rank candidates inside the French category, not against the whole pool. That is why 404 clears where 514 is needed.
Volume moves the line
2025 proved cut-offs can fall five rounds in a row when invitation volumes rise. 2026 proved they can climb just as steadily. Your score is the only variable you control.
Draw questions, answered
What was the most recent Express Entry draw?+
The most recent round documented here is 16 October 2026 (draw #450) — a French-language proficiency round that issued 5,000 invitations to apply with a CRS cut-off of 435. It is the highest French-language cut-off recorded in 2026, and it sits 53 points above the 382 that opened the year on 6 February 2026.
What is the French-language Express Entry CRS cut-off in 2026?+
Across 2026 the French-language category has ranged from 382 to 435, with an average cut-off of 404. That is the lowest average of any major category this year — Healthcare averaged 471, Trades 476 and CEC 514.
How much lower is the French cut-off than the CEC cut-off?+
110 CRS points lower on average. French-language rounds averaged 404 in 2026 against 514 for Canadian Experience Class rounds. In practical terms, a French-speaking candidate needs a score that would be nowhere near competitive in a general or CEC round.
How many Express Entry draws were held in 2026?+
62 draws were held in 2026, issuing 143,467 invitations to apply across all categories. The French-language category is one lane within that total — not the whole programme.
Do I need NCLC 7 to be invited in a French-language draw?+
Yes. To enter the French-language proficiency category you need NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities — listening, reading, speaking and writing — plus eligibility for a federal Express Entry programme (FSWP, CEC or FSTP). Missing the threshold in even one skill keeps you out of the category entirely, no matter how strong the other three are.
Are Express Entry draws paused in November 2026?+
Yes. Draws are paused for up to two weeks starting 3 November 2026 while IRCC automatically recalculates CRS scores for all existing profiles under new Ministerial Instructions. You do not need to take action for the recalculation itself, but candidates holding a qualifying job offer should update their profile before the pause ends.
Will my CRS score change during the November 2026 pause?+
It may. The recalculation is automatic and applies to every active profile. From 3 November 2026, candidates in one of 186 designated high-wage occupations can receive up to 70 additional points through Canadian work experience or up to 100 through a qualifying job offer. You cannot stack both routes — the higher one applies.
What is a CRS cut-off?+
The CRS cut-off is the lowest Comprehensive Ranking System score among the candidates invited in a given round. Everyone at or above that score in the eligible pool is invited; candidates exactly on the cut-off are separated by the tie-break rule, which is based on when their profile was submitted.
Why did French cut-offs rise from 382 to 435 during 2026?+
Cut-offs move with the size and strength of the eligible pool in each round. In 2026 the French category opened at 382 in February and climbed steadily through 388, 395, 400, 405, 408, 412, 415, 418 and 420 by 19 August, reaching 435 on 16 October. The pattern is not one-directional: in 2025 the French cut-off fell for five consecutive rounds after August, from 481 down to 399, as invitation volumes grew from 2,500 to 6,000 per round.
Can I be invited with a low CRS score in a French draw?+
Only if you are inside the French-language category pool. Category rounds rank candidates against each other within that category, not against the whole Express Entry pool — which is why French rounds have cleared at 382–435 while CEC rounds needed 507–523. A low score outside the category does not benefit from the French cut-off.
Where does this draw data come from?+
From IRCC round-of-invitations data as compiled by Moving2Canada, plus the IRCC draw history summarised in The Franish's October 2026 advisory briefs. The itemised 2026 table below covers the ten French-language rounds from 6 February to 19 August 2026; the 16 October round is reported separately because it falls outside that documented series. We do not fill gaps in the record with estimates.
Cut-offs move. Your score doesn't have to.
The French lane has cleared at 382–435 all year. The only thing between you and it is NCLC 7 in four skills — and that is trainable.
This page is for educational purposes only and is not legal or immigration advice. Draw data is compiled from IRCC rounds of invitations as reported by Moving2Canada and summarised in The Franish's October 2026 advisory briefs; figures are current as of 19 October 2026 and change with every round. The 3 November 2026 changes reflect Ministerial Instructions with a confirmed effective date — confirm current rules on canada.ca before acting. Formal immigration representation is provided only by authorised professionals (a licensed RCIC or lawyer); The Franish provides French-language training and coordinates paperwork with licensed partners.