Draw #394

Express Entry draw #394 was held on February 6, 2026, issuing 8,500 invitations to apply for permanent residence under the French language category with a minimum CRS score of 400.

The CRS cutoff rose 1 points from the previous French language draw, indicating higher competition among candidates in this category. IRCC also increased the invitation count by 2,500, signaling a broader intake for this round.

A cutoff of 400 is relatively accessible for French language draws. Candidates with moderate CRS profiles — such as a bachelor's degree, CLB 9+ in their first language, and 2-3 years of Canadian experience — could qualify.

French-language draws target candidates with strong French proficiency, reflecting Canada's commitment to bilingualism and Francophone immigration outside Quebec.

If your CRS score is within 30 points of this cutoff, focusing on language test improvement or gaining additional Canadian work experience could make the difference in an upcoming draw.