Canada Invites Foreigners for Permanent Residency Through Express Entry Based on French Language Proficiency
For the first time in 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has invited foreign nationals to apply for permanent residency under the French language proficiency category of the Express Entry (EE) system. This initiative aims to attract French-speaking candidates to contribute to Canada’s linguistic diversity and workforce.
Express Entry Draw Details – French Language Proficiency Category
- Draw Number: 337
- Date: February 19, 2025
- Time: 16:18:12 UTC
- Number of Invitations Issued: 6,500
- CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate: 428
- Tie-breaking Rule Date: February 10, 2025, at 16:41:38 UTC
The previous French language proficiency-based draw was held on December 3, 2024, when 800 candidates were invited with a minimum CRS score of 466.
Express Entry Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for Express Entry, candidates must:
- Demonstrate proficiency in English or French by completing an approved language test
- Achieve the minimum scores required by their selected program
- Enter their language test results in their Express Entry profile
Canada assesses English proficiency through the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) and French proficiency using the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC).
Express Entry and CRS Scoring
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a points-based method used by IRCC to assess, score, and rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. Points are awarded based on skills, education, language ability, work experience, and other factors.
Canada conducts Express Entry selection rounds every two weeks, issuing invitations to apply for programs such as:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
If multiple candidates have the same CRS score, the cut-off is determined by the date and time of profile submission.
Latest Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Draw
- Date: February 17, 2025
- Number of Invitations Issued: 646
- CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate: 750
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows foreign nationals to apply for permanent residency in Canada by securing a nomination from a specific province or territory.
CRS Score Distribution as of February 16, 2025
The latest CRS score distribution provides insight into the ranking of candidates in the Express Entry pool. These distributions influence the cut-off scores in upcoming draws, determining who receives invitations to apply for permanent residency..
The numbers in this table reflect the total number of people in the pool overall, a few days before an invitation round. The score distribution may change as people submit new profiles and other profiles expire.
The table numbers not in bold are a detailed breakdown of the bold number immediately above
