French Language Becomes a Key Advantage for Express Entry Applicants
Published: October 20, 2025
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has invited 4,500 French-speaking candidates to apply for permanent residence in its most recent Express Entry draw.
The draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 432, and profiles submitted before June 13, 2025, at 7:07 UTC were considered.
Since January 2025, more than 30,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) have been issued to French-speaking candidates — the highest total among all category-based selection rounds. This reflects Canada’s continued commitment to promoting French-language immigration outside Quebec.
Why French Matters in Express Entry
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Priority Selection: IRCC regularly conducts category-based draws exclusively for French-speaking candidates.
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Higher CRS Points: French-language results from the TEF or TCF exams can add 25 to 50 additional CRS points, significantly improving ranking.
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Policy Alignment: Canada’s immigration strategy prioritizes bilingual applicants to support the growth of Francophone communities nationwide.
How Candidates Can Prepare
Candidates interested in future draws are encouraged to:
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Improve or obtain official French-language test results (TEF or TCF).
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Update their Express Entry profiles to include valid test results and ensure points are properly calculated.
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Consider learning or upgrading French skills, as bilingual candidates continue to receive a clear advantage.
Tip: Even a moderate level of French proficiency can strengthen an immigration profile and expand future opportunities across Canada.