On September 27, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Canada (IRCC) conducted Express Entry Draw #266, targeting candidates with
French language proficiency under the category-based selection (Version 1).
In this draw, 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued,
with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 472. Candidates
eligible for this round demonstrated strong French language skills, aligning
with Canada’s objective to strengthen Francophone communities outside Quebec.
The CRS cutoff of 472 was notably lower than many
all-program draws around the same period, highlighting the advantage of meeting
category-based eligibility criteria. Candidates with competitive French
proficiency were able to secure ITAs even with moderate CRS scores compared to
general draws.
This draw reaffirmed IRCC’s commitment to targeted
immigration pathways, offering Francophone candidates a clearer and more
accessible route to permanent residence through Express Entry.
A&M Canadian Immigration Law Corporation assists
candidates in assessing category-based eligibility, optimizing Express Entry
profiles, and preparing strong permanent residence applications under
French-language and other targeted Express Entry draws.
