Express Entry Draw 6,000 French-Speaking Candidates Invited with CRS 416
Key Stats and Summary
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Date: October 29, 2025
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Invitations issued: 6,000 Lowest CRS score: 416
- 36,000 PR and PNP eligible jobs available in Canada including Francophone friendly employers i.e RCIP. as per QuestJobs.
Canada’s latest Express Entry draw once again highlights the country’s strong focus on Francophone immigration outside Quebec. With 6,000 invitations and a competitive CRS cut-off of 416, the October 29 draw reinforces the federal goal of building bilingual communities and addressing labour shortages across Canada’s regions. source
Canada Doubles Down on Francophone Immigration
This draw marks one of the largest French-language rounds in 2025, confirming IRCC’s plan to grow the share of Francophone permanent residents to 9.5% by 2026. Candidates demonstrating French proficiency at NCLC 7 or higher across all skills received invitations under this round.
Minister Lena Metlege Diab emphasized that Francophone immigration fuels local economies, especially in provinces such as New Brunswick, Ontario, and Manitoba, where bilingualism plays a critical role in public service, education, and healthcare.
A cut-off score of 416 means that many French-speaking applicants with modest CRS scores—who might not qualify in general rounds—now have a realistic shot at PR. Compared to category-neutral draws where the CRS often exceeds 530, this represents a major opportunity for bilingual professionals seeking permanent residency through Express Entry. This draw reinforces a simple but powerful message, If you speak French, you have a competitive edge.
To take advantage:
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Improve your French scores — Aim for NCLC 7 or higher in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
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Align your work experience — Focus on in-demand roles in healthcare, education, social services, and trades.
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Find PR-eligible employers — QuestJobs.io lists 36,000 PR-eligible jobs, including Francophone-friendly employers across Canada.