July attests! Over and over again, Canada has spoken the same language for months. We have seen and heard of their need for more French-language speakers. This has been proven by several entry draws based on language proficiency, which have set many favourable cutoff marks, providing opportunities to more speakers worldwide.

On July 9, 2026, Canada held its latest Express Entry draw targeting French-speaking candidates, sending out 5,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence. To qualify, candidates needed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 420, the highest score required for this type of draw so far this year. This was also the seventh French-language draw held in 2026, showing how central this category has become to Canada's immigration plans.

These French-specific draws exist because Canada wants to grow its French-speaking population outside Quebec. Instead of only picking candidates with the highest overall scores, Canada sets aside invitations for people who speak French well, even if their general profile isn't as strong. To qualify, a candidate needs an active Express Entry profile and proof of strong French skills, usually through a test like the TEF or TCF, at a high level across reading, writing, speaking, and listening. There's no separate application needed. If you meet the requirements, you're automatically considered whenever a French draw happens.

Scores needed for these draws have shifted a lot this year. In February, Canada invited 8,500 people with a score as low as 400. By March, the score dropped even further to 393, the lowest point of the year. Since then, scores have slowly climbed back up, reaching 420 in July. Even so, this is still much lower than regular Express Entry draws, which usually require scores above 514. The rising scores likely mean more strong French-speaking candidates are joining the pool, making the competition a bit tighter than earlier in the year.

For anyone already fluent in French with test results ready, this is good news. Staying active in the Express Entry pool means you'll automatically be considered the next time a French draw happens, without extra paperwork. For those who don't speak French yet but are considering it, this could be a smart move. Strong French skills can add 25 to 50 extra points to your score, which is often enough to make the difference between waiting years for an invitation and getting one much sooner.

Overall, French-language proficiency remains one of the most reliable ways to be invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence right now. While the score needed has been creeping upward, it's still far more accessible than regular draws. If you are serious about immigrating to Canada, already comfortable with French, you should keep an eye on these draws and make sure your language test results are up to date in your Express Entry profile.