Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its second Express Entry draw of the week, targeting French-speaking candidates. The draw, held today, March 21, 2025, issued a significant 7,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to individuals with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 379 or higher. This represents the lowest CRS cut-off and the highest number of ITAs issued by IRCC in a single draw this year.

This draw marks the third Express Entry draw specifically for Francophone candidates in 2025, demonstrating the Canadian government’s ongoing commitment to attracting individuals with strong French language proficiency.

Express Entry draw on 21 March

The IRCC has opened the Francophone Express Entry draw of 2025 inviting 7,500 applicants who had the CRS Score of 379 or higher.

• EE Draw number: 341
• Date: 21 March 2025
• Number of invitations: 7,500
• Category: French language proficiency (Version 1)
• Cut-off score: 379

Express Entry Draw Result – 21 Mar 2025

This year, IRCC has conducted 11 Express Entry draws, resulting in 30,683 invitations to apply (ITAs).  

A Golden Opportunity: French Proficiency Opens Doors to Canadian PR

The recent Express Entry draw, issuing 7,500 ITAs with a remarkably low CRS score of 379, serves as a prime example of the significant advantage French-speaking skilled workers hold in Canada’s immigration system. Consistently, draws targeting Francophone candidates exhibit the lowest CRS cut-off scores compared to other Express Entry categories. This preferential treatment underscores Canada’s strategic focus on bolstering its French-speaking communities, effectively translating into a golden opportunity for those possessing both valuable skills and French language proficiency to secure Canadian permanent residency.

2025 Express Entry: IRCC Prioritizes Key Sectors with Targeted Draws

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced the priority categories for its 2025 category-based Express Entry draws. These designated categories will receive preferential treatment for Invitations to Apply (ITAs), aiming to address critical labor market shortages across Canada. By focusing on specific sectors, IRCC intends to streamline the immigration process for skilled workers whose expertise aligns with Canada’s most pressing economic needs. The following are the priority categories for 2025:

• French-language proficiency
• Healthcare and Social service occupations
• Trades occupations
• Education occupations