Express Entry French Draw Pushes CRS Below 400 in Major December Round
Canada’s immigration system recorded a notable milestone as the latest Express Entry draw produced one of the lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off scores seen in 2025.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a targeted draw for candidates with French-language proficiency, lowering the CRS requirement to 399. This marks a significant drop compared to most federal draws conducted this year.
To qualify for consideration, candidates were required to have submitted their Express Entry profile before 11:43 p.m. UTC on August 24, 2025, in addition to meeting the minimum CRS threshold.
Strong Preference for Francophone Candidates Continues
The latest draw reinforces Canada’s ongoing focus on strengthening Francophone immigration outside Quebec. French-language proficiency draws have consistently produced lower CRS cut-offs than other Express Entry categories, making them one of the most accessible federal pathways for permanent residence.
This approach aligns with Canada’s broader immigration objectives, including supporting economic growth, addressing labour shortages, and reinforcing Francophone minority communities nationwide.
December Sees Intense Express Entry Activity
This French-language draw represents the sixth Express Entry round in December alone, following several high-volume invitations earlier in the month under different programs.
Recent December draws included:
- Canadian Experience Class selections
- Provincial Nominee Program invitations
- Healthcare and social services category-based draws
The frequency and size of these rounds highlight IRCC’s accelerated pace of invitations toward the end of the year.
Express Entry Invitations Reach New Annual High
With this latest round, IRCC has now issued 117,998 Invitations to Apply through Express Entry in 2025. The majority of invitations this year have been directed toward a few priority streams, reflecting Canada’s labour market and demographic needs.
The most active draw categories in 2025 include:
- Provincial Nominee Program
- Canadian Experience Class
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare and social services
- Education and skilled trades (select draws)
Breakdown of Invitations by Program in 2025
French-language proficiency candidates and those with Canadian work experience have received the largest share of invitations this year.
Total ITAs issued by stream include:
- French-language proficiency candidates: 42,000
- Canadian Experience Class candidates: 36,850
- Healthcare and social services professionals: 13,500
- Provincial Nominee Program candidates: 9,775
- Education category candidates: 3,500
- Skilled trades candidates: 1,250
These figures confirm a clear federal strategy focused on in-demand skills, domestic experience, and bilingual capacity.
What This Means for Express Entry Candidates
A CRS cut-off below 400 is a strong signal for candidates with French-language ability who may not otherwise be competitive in general or CEC draws. It also highlights the importance of strategic profile optimization, including language testing, category eligibility, and timely profile submission.
Candidates who qualify under targeted categories may continue to see improved chances as IRCC maintains a category-based selection approach.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
