What was the Express Entry draw #405 on March 28, 2026?

Draw #405 on March 28, 2026 was a French Language Proficiency category draw. IRCC issued 4,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with a CRS score of 446 or higher who have indicated French language proficiency in their Express Entry profile.

What was the minimum CRS score for Express Entry draw #405?

The minimum CRS score for draw #405 on March 28, 2026 was 446 — lower than the typical all-program draw, reflecting the French Language Proficiency category targeting.

How many ITAs were issued in Express Entry draw #405?

IRCC issued 4,500 Invitations to Apply in draw #405 on March 28, 2026.

How long does Express Entry PR processing take after an ITA?

The standard processing time for Express Entry applications is 6 months from the date of submission to PR issuance. Candidates receiving an ITA in draw #405 should submit within 60 days and can expect PR approval approximately 6 months later.

Can I check if my CRS score qualifies for this Express Entry draw?

Yes. Use the free IMMERGITY CRS Simulator at immergity.ca/crs-simulator to check whether your profile would have qualified for draw #405 (CRS 446). The simulator shows you exactly where you stand and what improvements would help.

Express Entry Draw #405 — CRS 446

IRCC Express Entry draw #405 issued 4,500 ITAs on March 28, 2026 under the French Language Proficiency category with a minimum CRS score of 446. Full breakdown and next steps for candidates.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted an Express Entry draw on March 28, 2026 under the French Language Proficiency category. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 446, and IRCC issued 4,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). This was draw number #405 of 2026.

This draw represents a strategic targeting of French-speaking skilled workers — reflecting Canada's continued commitment to building the Francophone population outside Quebec. For candidates with French language proficiency at CLB 7 or higher, this draw represents an accessible entry point to Express Entry, with a notably lower CRS score than all-program draws.

Express Entry Draw #405 — CRS 446 March 28 2026 French Language Proficiency IMMERGITY

Draw Summary — March 28, 2026

Category	Details
Draw Number	#405
Draw Date	March 28, 2026
Category	French Language Proficiency 2026-V2
Minimum CRS Score	446
Invitations Issued	4,500
Processing Time	6 months from ITA to PR (average)

What This Draw Means — French Language Strategy

The French Language Proficiency category draw is IRCC's mechanism for actively recruiting bilingual and French-speaking immigrants. Canada's immigration system weights French language proficiency heavily because:

French speakers have a natural economic and social advantage in Quebec
French speakers in other provinces help build and sustain Francophone communities
Canada's official bilingualism policy treats French recruitment as a strategic priority

For this draw, IRCC selected candidates from the Express Entry pool who meet CRS 446 or higher and have indicated French language proficiency in their profile. A candidate with CLB 7 French and CLB 4 English, with one year of Canadian work experience, could easily meet this CRS threshold.

How Your CRS Score Compares

Use the free IMMERGITY CRS Simulator to see where your score stands against this draw's minimum. The simulator plots your profile against historical and current IRCC data and shows you:

Whether you would have received an ITA in this specific draw
How many points you would need to improve to be competitive
Which improvements would get you there fastest (language, education, work experience, job offer)

Next Steps

If you received an ITA: You have 60 days to submit a complete PR application. Start immediately — processing time is 6 months from submission to permanent residence.
If you didn't qualify for this draw: Check the Eligibility Assessment to see all programs you may qualify for now, including Ontario PNP, other provincial programs, or spousal sponsorship pathways.
If you're close to the CRS: Use the CRS Simulator to model language improvement, education credentials, or work experience gains. Even 10 points can position you for the next French Language draw.

Express Entry draws happen regularly — typically every 1–2 weeks. The next draw will target a different category or all-program. Stay ready with a complete profile, up-to-date documents, and your language test scores ready to submit.

What This Draw Means For You

If your CRS score is below 446, this draw did not affect you directly — but it's a signal about pool competitiveness. Use IMMERGITY's free Eligibility Assessment to see your current score, your distance from the cutoff, and which programs you qualify for today.

If your CRS is near or above 446, you may already be competitive. Use the CRS Simulator to run what-if scenarios and see how improving your language score or adding work experience could get you over the cutoff threshold.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Express Entry Draw #405?

Express Entry Draw #405 was held on March 28, 2026 under the French Language Proficiency category. IRCC issued 4,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) with a minimum CRS score of 446. Candidates who received an ITA had 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application.

What does a CRS cutoff of 446 mean?

Only candidates with a CRS score of 446 or higher were invited in this draw. If your score was below 446, you remained in the pool and are eligible for future draws. CRS cutoffs vary by draw type — category draws typically cut lower than all-program draws. Use the Eligibility Assessment to check your current standing.

How can I improve my CRS score to qualify for future draws?

The highest-ROI CRS improvements are language score upgrades (each band improvement is worth 10–31 points), adding a valid job offer (50–200 points), and provincial nominations (+600 points). Use the CRS Simulator to model each scenario against your profile.

Express Entry Draw #405 — CRS 446 — March 18 2026 French Language Proficiency