In a significant move, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended invitations to apply (ITAs) to 3,200 candidates in a category-based Express Entry draw focused on French language proficiency. This marks the fourth Express Entry draw this month, highlighting the growing emphasis on attracting French-speaking immigrants to Canada.
To qualify, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 420. This draw follows a busy week of Express Entry activity, with three earlier draws between July 2 and 5, inviting a total of 6,470 candidates across various categories, including healthcare and trade occupations.
French-proficiency draws are anticipated to account for 30% of all ITAs issued through category-based selection in 2024, with a total of 15,600 ITAs extended to date for this specific category. The Express Entry system, first introduced in 2015, continues to be a vital tool in helping Canada address labor market gaps and strengthen its economy.
Through category-based selection, IRCC targets candidates who meet specific labor needs across sectors such as healthcare, STEM, trades, agriculture, and transport. French-speaking candidates play a particularly vital role in supporting the country’s bilingual workforce, especially in provinces with strong French-speaking communities.
These measures are part of Canada’s continued commitment to fostering a diverse, robust labor force that supports long-term economic growth.