Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held Express Entry draw #401 on March 4, 2026, issuing 5,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the French Language Proficiency category. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 397.
This was a French-language proficiency draw, inviting candidates with strong French skills to support francophone communities outside Quebec.
Draw at a Glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Draw Number | #401 |
| Draw Date | March 4, 2026 |
| Draw Category | French Language Proficiency |
| CRS Cut-off Score | 397 |
| Invitations Issued (ITAs) | 5,500 |
| Tie-breaking Rule | December 9, 2025 at 10:23:15 UTC |
What Happens If You Received an ITA
Candidates who received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in draw #401 have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application. All required documents — language test results, educational credential assessments, police certificates, and medical exams — must be included before the deadline. Missing the deadline will cause the ITA to expire.
What Happens If You Were Not Invited
If you were not invited, your profile remains active in the Express Entry pool and you will be considered in future rounds. To improve your chances, consider retaking your language test, gaining additional Canadian work experience, or pursuing a provincial nomination which adds 600 CRS points to your score.
About Express Entry
Canada’s Express Entry system manages applications for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST). In 2026, IRCC has significantly expanded category-based draws to target specific labour market needs including healthcare, French-language proficiency, trades, and more.