Canada Express Entry Update – CRS Falls Below 400 in Major Category-Based Draw

Canada’s Express Entry system has delivered one of the most surprising results of 2025, as the latest Express Entry draw recorded a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score below 400. This rare outcome highlights Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) increasing reliance on category-based selection, particularly for candidates with strong French-language proficiency.

In this article, we break down the latest draw details, explain why the CRS score dropped so significantly, and analyze what this trend means for Express Entry candidates heading into 2026.

Overview of the Latest Express Entry Draw

In the most recent round of invitations, IRCC issued 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the French-language proficiency category. The minimum CRS score required was 399, marking one of the lowest cut-offs seen in recent Express Entry history.

Key highlights include: – Draw type: French-language proficiency (category-based) – ITAs issued: 6,000 – CRS cut-off score: 399 – Tie-break rule: Profiles submitted before late August 2025

While general and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws typically require CRS scores well above 450, category-based draws continue to demonstrate significantly lower thresholds.

Why Did the CRS Cut-Off Drop Below 400?

Several factors contributed to this unusually low CRS requirement:

1. Targeted French-language selection
IRCC has made Francophone immigration outside Quebec a strategic priority. French-language category draws are designed to attract bilingual and French-speaking candidates, even if their overall CRS scores are relatively modest.

2. Large-volume draw strategy
By issuing 6,000 ITAs in a single round, IRCC effectively widened the invitation pool, naturally lowering the CRS cut-off.

3. Changes in the Express Entry pool composition
Recent weeks have seen multiple large Express Entry draws, including CEC and category-based rounds. These have removed thousands of high-scoring candidates from the pool, easing competition and allowing lower-ranked profiles to receive invitations.

4. Policy adjustments affecting CRS scores
Earlier changes, such as the removal of additional CRS points for arranged employment, have reshaped score distributions across the pool, indirectly contributing to lower thresholds in certain draws.

Express Entry Pool Trends in Late 2025

Data from late 2025 shows a noticeable decline in the number of candidates with CRS scores above 500. At the same time, mid-range and lower-score bands have become more competitive, particularly for category-specific selections.

This shift suggests that IRCC is actively managing inventory, balancing backlog pressures while meeting economic and demographic targets through targeted invitations rather than relying solely on general draws.

What This Means for Express Entry Candidates

The sub-400 CRS cut-off carries important implications:

• French-speaking candidates gain a major advantage, even without extremely high CRS scores.
• Candidates previously considered non-competitive may now have realistic pathways to permanent residence through category-based draws.
• General and CEC draws are still expected to maintain higher CRS thresholds, but targeted draws are likely to continue offering lower cut-offs.

For candidates aiming to improve their chances, strengthening French language ability, gaining Canadian work experience, or qualifying under priority occupations could be decisive.

Outlook for Express Entry in 2026

As Canada faces labor shortages, demographic shifts, and pressure to reduce application backlogs, category-based Express Entry draws are expected to play an even larger role in 2026. While CRS scores below 400 will remain rare overall, this draw confirms that targeted selection can significantly change outcomes for specific groups. Candidates are advised to stay informed, maintain active profiles, and adapt their strategies to align with IRCC’s evolving priorities.