Express Entry Draw #401: 5,500 French-Language Candidates Invited With CRS 397 (March 4, 2026)

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Canada's latest Express Entry draw has arrived — and it's a big one for French speakers. IRCC issued 5,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in Draw #401 on March 4, 2026, targeting candidates with strong French-language proficiency. The minimum CRS score to receive an invitation was 397 — one of the lowest thresholds seen in recent French-language draws, opening the door for a large pool of candidates.

Here is everything you need to know about this draw.

Draw #401 — Key Results at a Glance

Detail	Information
Draw number	#401
Draw type	French-Language Proficiency (2026 — Version 2)
Date and time	March 4, 2026 at 11:55:47 UTC
Invitations issued	5,500
Minimum CRS score	397
Tie-breaking rule	October 10, 2025 at 18:18:20 UTC
Programs eligible	FSWP, CEC, FSTP

Tie-breaking rule explained: If multiple candidates share the lowest CRS score of 397, priority is given to those who submitted their Express Entry profile on or before October 10, 2025 at 18:18:20 UTC.

Who Was Invited in This Draw?

Draw #401 was a French-Language Proficiency category-based draw. To be eligible, candidates must:

1. Have had their French proficiency assessed using an approved language test with results less than two years old
2. Have achieved a minimum score of CLB/NCLC 7 or higher in all four language skill areas (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) based on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens benchmarks

Candidates do not need to be Quebec-bound — in fact, the stated goal of this draw is to support Francophone immigration outside of Quebec, helping grow French-speaking communities across the rest of Canada.

Invitations may be issued to candidates eligible under:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

What Does a CRS of 397 Mean?

A minimum CRS score of 397 is notably low compared to all-program draws, which have recently required scores in the 490–530 range. This reflects the targeted nature of French-language draws — IRCC deliberately sets lower CRS thresholds for these rounds to prioritize French proficiency as a standalone factor, independent of a candidate's overall points profile.

In practical terms: if you have strong French skills (CLB 7+ across all areas) and a CRS score of 397 or higher, you were eligible to receive an ITA in this draw.

Why Is Canada Inviting So Many French Speakers?

Canada has a long-standing commitment to growing its Francophone minority communities outside of Quebec. French-language category draws are one of the key tools IRCC uses to achieve this goal, allowing candidates with strong French skills to be invited regardless of whether their overall CRS score would qualify them in an all-program draw.

With 5,500 ITAs issued in a single day, this is one of the larger French-language draws on record — a clear signal that IRCC is aggressively pursuing its Francophone immigration targets for 2026.

How Does This Compare to Recent Express Entry Draws?

Draw	Date	Type	ITAs	Min. CRS
#401	Mar 4, 2026	French-Language Proficiency	5,500	397
#400	Mar 3, 2026	Canadian Experience Class	4,000	508
#399	Mar 2, 2026	PNP	264	710

Draw #401's low CRS cut-off of 397 stands out sharply against the CEC draw (#400) at 508 and the PNP draw (#399) at 710, illustrating how category-based draws create distinct opportunities for different candidate profiles.

What Should You Do If You Weren't Invited?

If your CRS score was below 397, or if you did not qualify for this French-language category, here's what to focus on:

• Improve your French: If you're close to CLB 7 in all areas, taking a TEF Canada or TCF Canada test could unlock future French-language draw eligibility
• Keep your profile active: IRCC runs draws frequently — an all-program draw or another category draw could come as soon as next week
• Check your CRS score: Use IRCC's official CRS tool to see where you stand and identify which factors you can improve (job offer, provincial nomination, education, language scores)
• Consider a PNP: A provincial nomination adds 600 points to your CRS, virtually guaranteeing an ITA in the next PNP draw

Received an ITA? Here's What Happens Next

If you received an Invitation to Apply in Draw #401, here are your next steps:

1. You have 60 days from the date of the ITA to submit a complete permanent residence application
2. Gather all required documents — identity documents, language test results, educational credential assessments, work experience proof, and police certificates
3. Pay the application fees
4. Submit your complete application through your IRCC account before the deadline

Missing the 60-day deadline means your ITA expires and you will need to re-enter the Express Entry pool.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is a French-Language Proficiency draw in Express Entry? It is a category-based draw where IRCC specifically targets candidates who have demonstrated strong French-language skills (CLB/NCLC 7 or higher in all areas). These draws have lower CRS cut-offs because French proficiency is the primary selection factor, not overall points.

Q: Do I need to plan to live in Quebec to qualify for this draw? No. This draw specifically targets Francophone immigration outside of Quebec. Candidates planning to settle in any other Canadian province or territory are eligible.

Q: Which language tests are accepted for French proficiency? The TEF Canada (Test d'évaluation de français) and TCF Canada (Test de connaissance du français) are the approved tests for Express Entry French-language assessment. Results must be less than two years old.

Q: Can I qualify if I scored CLB 7 in only some skill areas? No. You must achieve CLB/NCLC 7 or higher in all four skill areas — reading, writing, listening, and speaking. A score below 7 in any single area disqualifies you from this category.

Q: When is the next Express Entry draw? IRCC typically holds multiple draws per week. Bookmark Immigration2Canada.com to get results the moment they are announced.

Bottom Line

Draw #401 is a major opportunity realized for French-speaking candidates who have been waiting in the Express Entry pool. With 5,500 ITAs and a CRS floor of just 397, this draw cast a wide net — and it reinforces Canada's clear commitment to building Francophone communities outside of Quebec in 2026.

If you weren't invited this time but have French-language skills, now is the time to take or retake your TEF Canada or TCF Canada test and ensure your scores are current.

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) — Ministerial Instructions, Express Entry Draw #401, March 4, 2026 Stay updated on every Express Entry draw by bookmarking Immigration2Canada.com

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