Express Entry Draw #394: 8,500 Francophones (CRS 400)

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted Express Entry draw #394 on February 6, 2026, at 11:38 AM UTC. This massive draw targeted exclusively candidates with French-language proficiency, issuing a record-breaking 8,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. This is the largest Francophone-targeted draw in Express Entry history.

Official Results – Draw #394, February 6, 2026

Draw Number	#394
Date and Time	February 6, 2026 at 11:38:00 UTC
Draw Type	Category-based – French language proficiency 2026-Version 2
Number of ITAs Issued	8,500
Minimum CRS Score	400 points
Rank Required	8,500 or above
Tie-breaking Rule	February 3, 2026 at 11:11:44 UTC

If more than one candidate has the lowest score (400), the tie is broken by the date and time their Express Entry profile was submitted.

Why This Draw Is Historic

Draw #394 represents a major turning point for Francophone immigration to Canada:

• 8,500 ITAs: The highest number of invitations ever issued in a single Francophone-targeted draw. By comparison, the January 22, 2026 Francophone draw issued only 3,200 ITAs.
• CRS Score of 400: Significantly lower than general draws (485 points on January 29). This means thousands of candidates with average profiles received an invitation.
• Strong Policy Signal: Canada confirms its commitment to reaching 9.5% Francophone admissions outside Quebec in 2026, as per the Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027.

Comparison with Recent Draws

Date	#	Type	ITAs	CRS Score
February 6, 2026	#394	Francophone	8,500	400
January 29, 2026	#393	General	4,500	485
January 22, 2026	#392	Francophone	3,200	379
January 15, 2026	#391	General	4,800	488
December 17, 2025		Francophone	6,000	399

Who Can Benefit from This Draw?

To be eligible for a French-language proficiency draw, you must:

• Have an active Express Entry profile in the pool (FSW, CEC, or FSTP)
• Demonstrate French proficiency: Valid TEF Canada or TCF Canada results with a minimum of CLB 7 in all 4 abilities (listening, speaking, reading, writing)
• Have a CRS score of 400 or higher

Important: You do NOT need to speak English for this draw. French alone is sufficient. However, bilingualism (French + English) can add up to 50 bonus CRS points.

Strategies to Maximize Your Chances

1. Improve Your French Score

• CLB 7 → CLB 9: Can add +30 to +50 CRS points
• Recommended tests: TEF Canada or TCF Canada
• Validity: 2 years – Don't let your results expire!

2. Add English as a Second Language

Bilingualism can add up to 50 bonus points. An IELTS score averaging 6.0 is enough to earn these extra points.

3. Target a Provincial Nomination (PNP)

A provincial nomination instantly adds 600 points:

• Ontario (OINP): Dedicated Francophone stream
• New Brunswick: Francophone Skilled Worker Program
• Manitoba (MPNP): Francophone pathway

4. Gain Canadian Experience

1 year of Canadian experience = up to 80 extra points. Options:

• Francophone Mobility (NO LMIA required!)
• Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) after studying in Canada

Processing Times After ITA

If you received your ITA on February 6, 2026:

• Deadline to submit application: 60 days (~April 7, 2026)
• Estimated processing: 5 to 8 months
• Required documents: Passport, TEF/TCF results, ECA (WES), employment letters, proof of funds (~$14,000 CAD single), police certificates, medical exam

Next Steps with LIMAJ Immigration

At LIMAJ Immigration, our RCIC-certified consultants guide you from A to Z:

• Free Express Entry profile assessment
• Complete Express Entry 2026 guide
• Permanent residence application support
• Book an appointment with a certified consultant

Offices in Montreal and Casablanca – Canada-Morocco expertise since 2018.