Last Updated On 28 May 2026, 1:08 PM EDT (Toronto Time)
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued 4,500 invitations to apply for permanent residence in the latest French-language proficiency Express Entry draw on May 28, 2026.
The Comprehensive Ranking System cutoff for the lowest-ranked candidate invited was 409 points.
This draw came exactly one day after the CEC round on May 27 that issued 3,000 invitations at CRS 518, restoring the CEC-then-French cluster pattern that IRCC had followed throughout 2026.
May had previously produced only two PNP-only draws on May 11 and May 25 before the broader non-PNP cycle resumed this week.
The last French draw was on April 29 with 4,000 invitations at CRS 400, meaning French-language candidates waited 29 days for this round.
IRCC increased the invitation count by 500 compared to the previous French round, while the CRS cutoff rose by 9 points.
The result continues to confirm that French draws remain one of the most accessible pathways in Express Entry for candidates who meet the language threshold.
Table of Contents
May 28, 2026 Express Entry Draw Details
| Detail | Information |
| Category | French-Language Proficiency 2026-Version 2 |
| Draw Date And Time | May 28, 2026 at 10:52:36 UTC |
| Number Of Invitations Issued | 4,500 |
| CRS Score Of the Lowest-Ranked Candidate | 409 |
| Rank Required | 4,500 or above |
| Tie-Breaking Rule | April 29, 2026 at 22:20:00 UTC |
The tie-breaking rule determines which candidates receive invitations when multiple profiles share the same CRS score at the cutoff.
Candidates who had a CRS score of exactly 409 needed to have submitted their Express Entry profile before April 29, 2026 at 22:20:00 UTC to receive an invitation.
Anyone with a score of 409 who submitted after that timestamp was not selected despite meeting the CRS requirement.
How CRS 409 Compares To Previous French Draws
French-language draw cutoffs have ranged from a low of 393 on March 18 to a high of 419 in the April 15 round, with most draws landing between 397 and 409.
The May 28 cutoff of 409 sits in the middle of that range.
The 9-point rise from the April 29 cutoff of 400 reflects the same pool pressure dynamic that pushed the CEC cutoff from 514 to 518 after the pause.
More French-eligible candidates accumulated in the pool during the 29-day gap without a French draw, pushing the cutoff higher even as IRCC increased invitations from 4,000 to 4,500.
The pattern mirrors what happened to CEC, where the cutoff jumped from 514 in the April 28 draw to 518 on May 27 despite a larger invitation size after the extended pause in May.
2026 French-Language Express Entry Draw History
The following table shows every French-language proficiency draw in 2026, illustrating how invitation volumes and CRS cutoffs have moved across the category-based draw system.
| # | Date | Invitations issued | CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited |
| 418 | May 28, 2026 | 4,500 | 409 |
| 414 | April 29, 2026 | 4,000 | 400 |
| 411 | April 15, 2026 | 4,000 | 419 |
| 405 | March 18, 2026 | 4,000 | 393 |
| 401 | March 4, 2026 | 5,500 | 397 |
| 394 | February 6, 2026 | 8,500 | 400 |
IRCC has now issued 30,500 French-language invitations across six draws in 2026.
That volume makes French the second largest Express Entry pathway after CEC, which has issued approximately 37,250 invitations across nine draws according to 2026 draw data.
The average French draw CRS in 2026 is approximately 403, which is over 100 points below the current CEC cutoff of 518.
What French Draws Mean For Candidates Below CRS 500
Nearly 75,000 candidates trapped in the 451 to 500 CRS band according to the May 24 pool snapshot cannot receive CEC invitations at current cutoff levels.
French-language draws offer a parallel pathway with cutoffs that have been over 100 points lower than CEC throughout 2026.
A candidate with a base CRS of 409 and strong French results would have received an invitation today, while the same profile would need at least 518 to qualify through CEC.
However, French draws do not relieve CEC pressure in the same way a CEC round does because most French-eligible candidates sit in different CRS bands and hold different profiles from the typical CEC candidate.
CEC cutoffs have climbed steadily since IRCC reduced invitation sizes from 4,000 to 2,000 beginning with the April 14 draw at CRS 515, making alternative pathways even more important for mid-range candidates.
Candidates who do not currently qualify for French draws should still consider improving French proficiency to NCLC 7 or higher as a medium-term strategy.
How To Qualify For French-Language Express Entry Draws
To receive an invitation in a French-language proficiency draw, candidates must have an active Express Entry profile and be eligible under at least one Express Entry managed program.
The French-language requirement is a minimum score of NCLC 7 in all four abilities: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Accepted French tests include TEF Canada and TCF Canada, both of which are administered at designated testing centres across Canada and internationally.
French scores also add significant CRS points to a candidate’s Express Entry pool profile, making them valuable even for candidates who primarily target CEC draws.
Candidates must also meet the standard eligibility criteria for either the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, or the Federal Skilled Trades Program under the Express Entry system.
Candidates should verify that their occupation matches the correct National Occupation Classification code listed in their Express Entry profile to avoid eligibility issues.
Candidates who received an invitation have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application with all supporting documents.
Those who missed this round by a few points should monitor whether IRCC continues French draws at the current 4,000 to 4,500 invitation range or returns to larger volumes like the 8,500-invitation round on February 6.
CEC candidates who also hold strong French scores may want to track both draw categories because the CEC cutoff of 518 and the French cutoff of 409 create very different thresholds for the same pool.
Candidates below 400 CRS should explore provincial nominations through programs like the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program or BC PNP, where the 600-point CRS boost eliminates the need to compete on base score.
The OINP program redesign taking effect May 30 could create new nomination opportunities as Ontario launches replacement streams.
Candidates should also watch for a possible occupation-based category draw in the coming days, which would complete the full draw cluster and provide additional pathways for healthcare, trades, and education workers.
Check IRCC’s official draw results page regularly for confirmed draw announcements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the CRS cutoff in the May 28 French-language Express Entry draw?
The CRS cutoff was 409 for the French-language proficiency draw held on May 28, 2026. This is 9 points higher than the April 29 French draw cutoff of 400 but still over 100 points below the CEC cutoff of 518.
How many French-language invitations has IRCC issued in 2026?
IRCC has issued 30,500 French-language proficiency invitations across six draws in 2026. This makes French the second largest Express Entry invitation category after CEC.
What French score do I need to qualify for these draws?
You need a minimum of NCLC 7 in all four language abilities: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Accepted tests are TEF Canada and TCF Canada. Meeting NCLC 7 makes you eligible for French draws, but your CRS score still needs to be at or above the cutoff to receive an invitation.
Will the French draw cutoff keep rising?
That depends on the gap between draws and invitation size. If IRCC returns to frequent French rounds at 4,000 or more invitations, the cutoff could stabilize near 409 or drop. A return to larger rounds above 5,000 invitations would likely push the cutoff back toward the 393 to 400 range.
Could an occupation-based draw follow this French round?
Throughout 2026, IRCC often completed draw clusters with a category-based round for healthcare, trades, or education within days of the CEC and French draws. No occupation-based draw has been issued since the April 2 Trades round, so one could follow in the coming days. IRCC does not confirm draw schedules in advance.
Fact Checked: All data in this article has been verified against official IRCC Express Entry draw results published on canada.ca as of May 28, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant or licensed immigration lawyer for guidance specific to your situation.
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