Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 5,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence in an Express Entry draw held on October 27, 2026. The round targeted candidates with French-language proficiency and had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 407.
The cut-off score was 28 points lower than in the previous French-language draw on October 16, while the number of invitations remained unchanged at 5,000.
Express Entry Draw Results: October 27, 2026
| Draw Detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Draw number | 452 |
| Draw date | October 27, 2026 |
| Category | French-Language Proficiency |
| Invitations issued | 5,000 |
| Minimum CRS score | 407 |
| Tie-breaking rule | July 13, 2026, at 19:22:00 UTC |
How Does This Compare with the Previous French-Language Draw?
The October 16, 2026 French-language draw issued 5,000 invitations with a minimum CRS score of 435. In the October 27 round, the same number of invitations was issued, but the cut-off fell to 407.
This decrease allowed eligible candidates with lower CRS scores to receive invitations in this round. However, 407 is not a fixed eligibility threshold for French-speaking applicants. Cut-off scores can change from one draw to another, and this result does not guarantee that scores will continue to fall.
Who Is Eligible for French-Language Category-Based Selection?
French-language ability alone does not make a candidate eligible for an invitation. To be considered under this category, candidates must:
- Have French-language test results showing a minimum NCLC level 7 in all four abilities: speaking, listening, reading and writing.
- Meet the eligibility requirements of at least one Express Entry program: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Trades Program.
- Be in the Express Entry pool and meet all requirements specified for the invitation round.
NCLC is the Canadian benchmark used to assess French-language proficiency. Meeting the language requirement allows a candidate to be considered for this category, but does not guarantee an invitation. Eligible candidates are still ranked using their CRS scores.
Visit our Express Entry service page to learn more about the programs, eligibility requirements and ranking system.
What If Your CRS Score Was Exactly 407?
When candidates share the lowest qualifying score, IRCC uses the date and time their Express Entry profiles were submitted to determine priority.
For this draw, the tie-breaking date was July 13, 2026, at 19:22:00 UTC. Eligible candidates with a CRS score of exactly 407 needed to have submitted their profiles before this timestamp to meet the tie-breaking requirement.
This rule applies to candidates at the cut-off score; it is not an additional profile submission deadline for candidates with higher scores.
What Happens After Receiving an Invitation?
An Invitation to Apply (ITA) is not a final approval of permanent residence. Invited candidates have 60 days to submit their complete permanent residence application and required supporting documents through their online account.
Before applying, candidates should check that their work experience records, language test results and other documents support the information in their Express Entry profiles. Any changes that could affect eligibility or CRS points should also be reviewed.
Official Sources
- IRCC: Express Entry Rounds of Invitations
- IRCC: Category-Based Selection and French-Language Requirements
- IRCC: Applying for Permanent Residence Through Express Entry
Could your French-language skills support your immigration plans? Contact Hejazineia Immigration to discuss your Express Entry eligibility and CRS score: +1 778 869 4566
