In a significant move to strengthen Canada’s French-speaking immigrant population, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 6,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the first French language proficiency Express Entry draw of 2025. Held on February 19, this draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 428.
Express Entry Draw: Key Details
The draw targeted French-speaking candidates, reinforcing Canada’s commitment to francophone immigration outside Quebec. The key details of this round are:
- Date of Draw: February 19, 2025, at 16:18:12 UTC
- Number of ITAs Issued: 6,500
- Minimum CRS Score: 428
- Program Specified: French Language Proficiency
- Tie-breaking Rule: February 10, 2025, at 16:41:38 UTC
This draw marks a substantial increase from the previous French Language Proficiency draw held on December 3, 2024, where only 800 candidates were invited, with a higher CRS cut-off of 466. The latest draw’s 5,700 additional ITAs highlight Canada’s ongoing efforts to boost its francophone immigrant population.
Express Entry Trends in 2025
The February 19 draw is the fourth Express Entry draw this month, following two Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws and one Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw earlier in February.
Express Entry Draws in 2025 So Far
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | CRS Cut-off |
| February 19 | French Language Proficiency | 6,500 | 428 |
| February 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 646 | 750 |
| February 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 521 |
| February 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 455 | 802 |
| January 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
| January 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| January 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
So far, 11,601 ITAs have been issued in February alone, with a clear emphasis on Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and PNP candidates. This aligns with IRCC’s focus on achieving its 2025-2026 immigration targets, particularly through the In-Canada Focus category outlined in the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan.
Why French-Speaking Immigrants Matter to Canada
The significant increase in ITAs for French-speaking candidates underscores Canada’s strategic goal of enhancing francophone immigration outside of Quebec. The federal government has actively been promoting French-speaking communities across the country due to concerns over declining francophone populations. To support this initiative, Canada’s Official Languages Action Plan 2023-2028 has allocated $137.2 million over five years to boost francophone immigration. This funding builds on previous investments of $84.3 million, enabling the implementation of new measures such as a Francophone Immigration Policy.
Understanding Express Entry: How to Apply
Express Entry is Canada’s primary system for managing applications for permanent residency (PR). It uses a point-based system (CRS) to rank candidates based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.
Steps to Apply for Express Entry
- Create an Express Entry Profile: Submit details on education, work experience, and language proficiency & Include results from recognized language tests such as IELTS or TEF Canada.
- Receive an ITA (If Eligible): Candidates who meet the CRS cut-off receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- Submit a Complete PR Application: After receiving an ITA, candidates must submit supporting documents such as reference letters, police clearance certificates, and medical exam results.
- Await IRCC Decision & Land in Canada: If approved, candidates receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and can complete their landing process.
Conclusion
The latest Express Entry draw reinforces Canada’s commitment to welcoming more French-speaking immigrants, aligning with its long-term strategy to support bilingual communities outside Quebec. With a total of 6,500 ITAs issued, this draw reflects the government’s growing focus on francophone immigration and its dedication to strengthening Canada’s linguistic diversity.
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