Express Entry Draw 425: 5,000 ITAs at CRS 420 July 9

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Canada's immigration system ran another French-language draw today. Draw #425 took place on July 9, 2026, and sent out 5,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence. The minimum CRS score was 420.

This was a category-based draw. That means it was not open to everyone in the Express Entry pool. Only candidates who met specific French-language proficiency requirements could receive an invitation in this round.

A score of 420 is meaningfully lower than what you typically see in all-program draws. That is good news if you have strong French skills but a moderate overall CRS score. Read on for a full breakdown of what happened and what it means for you.

What Happened, Explained Simply

Canada runs two broad types of Express Entry draws. The first is an all-program draw, open to any eligible candidate in the pool regardless of their background. The second is a category-based draw, which targets candidates with specific skills or characteristics. Draw #425 was a category-based draw focused on French-language proficiency.

To qualify for this draw, you had to prove your French skills using an approved language test. The test results must be less than two years old. For each skill area tested, reading, writing, listening, and speaking, you needed a score of at least level 7 on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) scale. The NCLC is the Canadian benchmark for French proficiency. Level 7 is considered upper-intermediate and represents solid working-level French.

The economic goal behind this category is clear. Canada wants to grow Francophone communities outside Quebec. Provinces like Ontario, New Brunswick, Manitoba, and British Columbia all have Francophone minority communities that benefit from French-speaking immigrants. By targeting French speakers directly, IRCC is actively working to support that population growth.

The draw covered three programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Candidates in any of those programs could receive an ITA if they met the French-language requirement and ranked among the top 5,000 eligible candidates.

If your CRS score was 420 or above and you had an active Express Entry profile with qualifying French results before the tie-breaking date of May 15, 2026 at 08:04:00 UTC, you may have received an invitation today. Check your IRCC account now if you have not already.

What Does a CRS Score of 420 Mean?

A score of 420 is accessible to many candidates who might otherwise feel stuck in the pool. Below is an example of how a typical applicant could reach 420 points. These figures are based on the standard CRS point breakdown published by IRCC.

The example above shows a realistic path to clearing 420 points. You do not need a perfect profile. A mid-range age, a bachelor's degree, solid English scores, and one year of Canadian experience can get you there, especially once you add French proficiency points.

Notice that French proficiency at NCLC level 7 adds 24 points on its own. That is not a massive boost in isolation, but combined with the category eligibility, it opens up a separate draw pool where competition is lighter. The cutoff in today's draw was 420, compared to all-program draws that have recently seen cutoffs well above 490. The difference is significant.

If your core profile sits in the 390 to 419 range, improving your French test results could be the most efficient path to an ITA. Getting from NCLC 5 or 6 up to NCLC 7 in all four skill areas may add points and make you category-eligible at the same time.

What This Means For You

If your score is at or above 420 and you had an active profile with qualifying French results before May 15, 2026, check your IRCC account immediately. Invitations are delivered directly to your account. You have 60 days from the date of the invitation to submit a complete permanent residence application.

If your score is close to 420 but just below, this draw is encouraging news. The gap between where you are and where you need to be may be smaller than you think. Look at whether your French test is current. If your results are approaching the two-year expiry, retesting and improving your scores could push you over the 420 mark in the next French-language draw.

If you are well below 420, this particular draw was not designed for your situation, but that does not mean you are out of options. French-language draws consistently produce lower cutoffs than all-program draws. Investing time in French study now could open up this lower-threshold pathway for you in future rounds. IRCC has been running French-language draws regularly, so this is not a one-time opportunity.

✅ If You Got an ITA, What To Do Now

Congratulations. Receiving an Invitation to Apply is a major milestone. Now the real work begins. You have exactly 60 days from today to submit your complete permanent residence application through your IRCC account. Missing that deadline means your ITA expires and you must re-enter the pool. Do not let that happen.

1. Log in to your IRCC account: Accept the ITA as soon as possible. Confirm your contact information is current and your profile details still match your actual situation.
2. Gather your identity documents: You need a valid passport for yourself and any family members included in the application. If your passport expires within the next two years, consider renewing it now before you submit.
3. Order police certificates: You need a police clearance from every country where you have lived for six months or more since the age of 18. These can take weeks to arrive. Start this process immediately, do not wait.
4. Book your medical exam: You must complete an immigration medical exam with a panel physician approved by IRCC. Results are valid for 12 months. Find an approved doctor through the IRCC website.
5. Collect employment documents: Get reference letters from current and past employers. Each letter should confirm your job title, duties, salary, and dates of employment. Use form IMM 5476 if you are appointing a representative to help with your application.
6. Do not quit your job: IRCC may verify your employment at any point during processing. If you leave your job after submitting, your eligibility could be affected, particularly if your application is based on Canadian work experience.
7. Submit before the 60-day deadline: Your deadline is September 7, 2026. Aim to submit at least one week early to account for any last-minute document issues or technical problems with the online portal.

Pay the application fees when you submit. The processing fee for a principal applicant is $1,505, which includes the right of permanent residence fee. Fees vary for accompanying family members. Keep all payment receipts.

📈 If You Didn't Get Invited

Not receiving an invitation today does not mean your options are gone. There are real, concrete steps you can take to improve your chances in the next round.

The most direct path if you already have some French is to improve your NCLC scores. If you are currently at level 5 or 6 in one or more skill areas, reaching level 7 in all four makes you category-eligible. That alone could change everything. Enroll in a French language course, use free government-funded francisation programs if you are already in Canada, and retest when you are ready.

If French is not realistic for you right now, look at the Provincial Nominee Program. Many provinces have streams that do not require a high CRS score. A provincial nomination adds 600 points to your CRS score, which would make you competitive in any all-program draw. Research the specific streams available in the province where you live or want to settle.

You can also boost your score through other means. Improving your English test results, gaining additional Canadian work experience, or completing a higher level of education can all add meaningful points. Even a 20 to 30 point increase can matter depending on where the cutoffs land.

Patience is also a legitimate strategy. Canada has committed to running category-based draws regularly as part of its immigration levels plan. French-language draws with cutoffs in the 400 to 430 range have appeared multiple times this year alone. If you meet the language requirement, staying in the pool and keeping your profile active is worthwhile. Make sure your Express Entry profile does not expire, profiles are valid for 12 months and must be renewed if you have not received an ITA.

You can track all past and upcoming draws on the IRCC immigration services page. Sign up for email alerts so you never miss a new round.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum French score needed to qualify for this draw?

You need a result of NCLC level 7 or higher in every skill area: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The test must be less than two years old and provided by a designated institution approved under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. A score of level 7 in three areas but level 6 in one is not enough, all four must be at level 7 or above.

Can Quebec residents apply through this French-language draw?

No. The Ministerial Instructions for this draw explicitly state that candidates who are members of the class referred to in paragraph 2(d) of the Express Entry Instructions are not eligible. That exclusion covers Quebec-selected candidates. This draw specifically targets Francophone immigration outside of Quebec, which is the stated economic goal of the category.

What is the tie-breaking rule and how does it affect me?

If two or more candidates tied at a CRS score of 420, IRCC used a tie-breaking timestamp of May 15, 2026 at 08:04:00 UTC. Only candidates who submitted their Express Entry profile before that exact date and time were included in the draw at the 420 score level. If you submitted your profile after that timestamp and your score is exactly 420, you were not invited in this round.

Which programs were included in Draw #425?

Draw #425 included the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Candidates in any of those three programs could receive an ITA, provided they also met the French-language proficiency requirements outlined in the Ministerial Instructions. The Canadian Experience Class is not limited to this draw, it also appears in all-program draws.

How soon could the next French-language draw happen?

IRCC does not publish a fixed schedule for category-based draws. However, French-language draws have been run multiple times per year throughout 2026. The naming of this draw as "French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2" suggests at least one earlier French-language draw took place in 2026 already. Keep your profile active and your documents current so you are ready when the next round is announced.

Sources: Government of Canada (canada.ca), IRCC Help Centre. Last verified: July 9, 2026. This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult IRCC or a qualified legal aid service for guidance on your specific situation.

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