In 2023, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced category-based draws within Express Entry to meet targeted economic and labor market priorities. Among the categories, French proficiency emerged as a key category, driven by Canada’s objective to enhance Francophone immigration outside Quebec to 4.4% of all economic immigrants by 2023—a goal outlined in the Francophone Immigration Strategy.
Here is a year-by-year overview of this category:
2023: The mid-year introduction of category-based selection marked a strategic shift in the Express Entry system, focusing on candidates with specific attributes to meet economic objectives.
2024: The approach was expanded and refined, with more targeted draws conducted throughout the year to address evolving labor market needs.
Number of Invitations Issued:
2023: The total number of invitations issued reflected the initial implementation phase of category-based selection, with a focus on testing and optimizing the new system.
2024: There was an increase in the number of invitations as the system matured, allowing for a more robust response to economic demands.
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score Thresholds:
2023: CRS score varied as the IRCC calibrated the new selection criteria and assessed candidate profiles under the category-based system.
2024: Thresholds showed an upward approach, reflecting a stabilized approach to selecting candidates with the desired attributes.
Key Differences Between 2023 and 2024
| Aspect | 2023 | 2024 |
| Introduction | First year of French-specific draws. | Expanded focus with more frequent draws. |
ITAs Issued | 7,400 ITAs | 14,500 ITAs |
| Frequency of Draws | Sporadic draws in the latter half. | Regular and frequent draws throughout the year. |
Focus | Testing and refining the category-based selection. | Scaling up and stabilizing the program to meet targets. |
However, it is important to approach this trend with a balanced perspective. While the CRS thresholds for French-category draws have generally been lower than those in all-program draws, there is a noticeable upward trend in the scores over time. This increase reflects growing competition as more candidates recognize the advantages of French proficiency in Canada’s immigration system.
While French-language skills offer a competitive edge and align with Canada’s focus on bilingualism, they are not a guaranteed pathway to permanent residency. The rising CRS scores in this category suggest that other factors, such as education, work experience, and adaptability, remain critical components of a successful Express Entry profile.
In conclusion, while learning French can significantly improve an applicant’s chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply, it should be seen as part of a broader strategy rather than a standalone guarantee for immigration success in Canada.
Disclaimer:
This trend is based on the last few years’ data we collected analyzed. We apologize if there is any mistake. Please feel free to contact us to explore future opportunities based on this statistical analysis.
