Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 5,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence in a French-language proficiency Express Entry draw on August 19, 2026.
The lowest-ranked candidate invited had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 382. This was nine points below the minimum score of 391 in the previous French-language proficiency draw held on August 6.
IRCC’s official Express Entry rounds of invitations page provides the federal draw results and tie-breaking information.
August 19 Express Entry draw results
| Draw detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Draw date | August 19, 2026 |
| Round type | French-language proficiency |
| Invitations issued | 5,000 |
| Minimum CRS score | 382 |
| Previous French-language cutoff | 391 |
| Change from previous round | Decrease of 9 points |
| Tie-breaking rule | March 1, 2026 at 18:34:05 UTC |
The tie-breaking rule applied to candidates who had exactly 382 CRS points. To receive an invitation at the cutoff, an eligible candidate needed to have submitted their Express Entry profile before the specified date and time.
Candidates with more than 382 points were not affected by the tie-breaking rule, provided they met the French-language category requirements and remained eligible for an Express Entry-managed program.
Comparison with recent French-language draws
The August 19 cutoff was the lowest recorded for a French-language proficiency draw in 2026 and the lowest for this category since March 2025.
| Draw date | Invitations issued | Minimum CRS |
|---|---|---|
| August 19, 2026 | 5,000 | 382 |
| August 6, 2026 | 5,000 | 391 |
| July 22, 2026 | 5,000 | 399 |
| July 9, 2026 | 5,000 | 420 |
| May 28, 2026 | 4,500 | 409 |
| April 29, 2026 | 4,000 | 400 |
| April 15, 2026 | 4,000 | 419 |
| March 18, 2026 | 4,000 | 393 |
| March 4, 2026 | 5,500 | 397 |
| February 6, 2026 | 8,500 | 400 |
Although the cutoff declined, this result does not guarantee that the next French-language round will have the same or a lower score.
CRS cutoffs can change based on:
- The number of invitations issued
- The number of eligible French-speaking candidates in the pool
- The scores of new profiles entering the pool
- Candidates improving their language, education or work-experience points
- The expiration or withdrawal of existing profiles
- The time between invitation rounds
- Other Express Entry rounds held before the next French-language selection
IRCC does not publish a fixed draw schedule or guarantee the category, size or CRS cutoff of a future selection.
Who qualifies for the French-language category?
According to IRCC’s category-based selection requirements, a candidate must have French-language test results showing at least Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens level 7 in all four abilities:
- Speaking
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
Candidates must also meet every requirement contained in the instructions for the invitation round.
Meeting NCLC 7 alone is not sufficient. A candidate must first qualify for at least one of the three federal programs managed through Express Entry:
- Canadian Experience Class
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
The candidate must have an active Express Entry profile, remain eligible for the applicable federal program and have a competitive CRS score within the French-language category.
Candidates can review the Always Canada Group Express Entry guide for an overview of the federal selection process.
Which French tests does IRCC accept?
IRCC currently accepts two French-language tests for Express Entry:
- TEF Canada — Test d’évaluation de français
- TCF Canada — Test de connaissance du français
The results must be entered accurately in the Express Entry profile. IRCC’s official language-test guidance explains the accepted tests and score-conversion requirements.
Language results must be less than two years old both when the candidate completes the Express Entry profile and when the permanent residence application is submitted.
IRCC may refuse an application if the language results have expired before submission, even if they were valid when the invitation was issued.
French can also provide additional CRS points
Strong French-language ability can improve a candidate’s CRS score in addition to making the candidate eligible for French-language category draws.
Under the current CRS criteria, a candidate with NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities may receive:
- 25 additional CRS points if the candidate has CLB 4 or lower in English, or did not take an English test
- 50 additional CRS points if the candidate has CLB 5 or higher in all four English abilities
These are additional CRS points. They do not replace the minimum requirements of the federal program through which the candidate qualifies for Express Entry.
Candidates should enter their language results exactly as shown on their official test report and avoid estimating their NCLC or CLB level.
What an invitation to apply means
An invitation to apply allows the selected candidate to submit an electronic application for permanent residence. It is not an approval of permanent residence.
IRCC will assess whether the candidate:
- Was eligible for an Express Entry-managed federal program
- Met the French-language category requirements
- Had the CRS score claimed when the invitation was issued
- Submitted complete and accurate supporting documents
- Continues to meet the applicable program requirements
- Meets medical, criminal and other admissibility requirements
Information in the permanent residence application must be consistent with the Express Entry profile and the documents provided.
An application may be refused if the evidence does not support the claimed language results, education, employment history, family information or CRS score.
Invited candidates have 60 days to apply
An Express Entry invitation is valid for 60 days. IRCC advises candidates to begin completing the application and collecting documents immediately.
The exact deadline displayed in the candidate’s IRCC account should be treated as controlling.
The personalized document checklist may require:
- Passports and identity documents
- Language-test results
- Education credentials and educational credential assessments
- Canadian and foreign employment records
- Detailed employer reference letters
- Police certificates
- Medical examination information
- Civil-status documents
- Documents for accompanying and non-accompanying family members
- Proof of funds when required by the applicable federal program
- Evidence of current and previous immigration status
IRCC’s permanent residence application instructions explain the submission process.
Review changes before submitting
Candidates should recalculate their CRS score if their personal circumstances have changed since the invitation was issued.
Changes requiring careful review may include:
- New or expired language results
- A change in employment
- A passport approaching expiry
- Marriage, divorce or a new common-law relationship
- The birth of a child
- A change involving accompanying family members
- A new educational credential
- A change in immigration status
- Previously omitted personal, employment or travel history
- A provincial nomination that expired or was withdrawn
A change does not automatically make the candidate ineligible, but it may affect the CRS score or federal-program eligibility.
If the recalculated score falls below 382 because of a relevant change, the candidate should review IRCC’s instructions and obtain qualified assistance before submitting or declining the invitation.
Practical next steps for invited candidates
Candidates invited on August 19 should:
- Confirm that the invitation relates to the French-language proficiency category.
- Verify eligibility for the federal program identified in the IRCC account.
- Confirm NCLC 7 or higher in speaking, listening, reading and writing.
- Check that the TEF Canada or TCF Canada results will remain valid on the submission date.
- Recalculate the CRS score using the circumstances that applied when the invitation was issued.
- Review the personalized document checklist immediately.
- Request police certificates and detailed employment letters without delay.
- Check names, dates, duties, hours and other information for consistency.
- Upload clear, complete copies in the required format.
- Submit before the deadline displayed in the IRCC account.
- Save copies of the application, supporting documents and payment confirmation.
- Continue monitoring the IRCC account for messages or additional document requests.
Candidates who want assistance reviewing an invitation or permanent residence application may book a consultation with Always Canada Group.
What candidates who were not invited can do
Candidates who remain in the Express Entry pool should keep their profiles accurate and their supporting credentials valid.
Possible next steps include:
- Improving French results in one or more language abilities
- Taking an approved English test to potentially obtain additional CRS points
- Adding completed education and a valid educational credential assessment
- Accurately documenting additional qualifying work experience
- Reviewing provincial nominee programs that match the candidate’s qualifications
- Monitoring the expiry dates of passports and language results
- Checking eligibility for other category-based rounds
- Following official IRCC draw results
A score below 382 does not prevent a candidate from remaining in the pool while the profile is valid. However, meeting a previous cutoff does not guarantee an invitation in a future round.
Key takeaway
IRCC invited 5,000 French-language candidates on August 19, 2026, with a minimum CRS score of 382. The cutoff fell nine points from the previous French-language round and reached the category’s lowest level since March 2025.
Invited candidates should now confirm their federal-program and category eligibility, verify the validity of their language results and submit a complete application within the deadline shown in their IRCC account.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Express Entry categories, eligibility requirements and procedures can change. Verify current information with IRCC before making an immigration decision.
