Express Entry · French-Language Proficiency (2026-Version 2)
Express Entry Draw #450: 5,000 French-Language invitations at CRS 435
IRCC invited 5,000 French-Language Proficiency candidates with a minimum CRS score of 435 — the largest round in the recorded series, and 84 points below this week's CEC cutoff of 519.
| Draw number | #450 |
|---|---|
| Date | October 16, 2026 |
| Round type | French-Language Proficiency (2026-Version 2) |
| Invitations issued | 5,000 |
| Lowest CRS score invited | 435 |
| Tie-breaking rule | Profiles at exactly 435 needed to be submitted before October 6, 2026, 21:31:22 UTC |
What happened
On October 16, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held Express Entry draw #450, inviting 5,000 candidates under the French-Language Proficiency (2026-Version 2) round. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 435.
At 5,000 invitations, this is the largest single round in the recorded series — and its 435 cutoff sits far below the general pool: the CEC round one day earlier (draw #449) needed a CRS score of 519.
IRCC applied a tie-breaking rule: candidates with a CRS score of exactly 435 needed an Express Entry profile submitted before October 6, 2026 at 21:31 UTC to be invited.
What this means for your score
Category-based selection keeps opening a much easier door for French-speaking candidates. If you are French-language eligible with a CRS score of 435 or higher, you were in the invitation range for this round — provided your profile was submitted before the tie-breaking date if you sat exactly at 435.
The gap between this 435 cutoff and the 519 CEC cutoff is the difference between an invitation now and waiting months. If you have French ability, even at an intermediate level, it is worth getting your language results into your profile. Run the CRS calculator to see where you stand, and keep your profile current.