French language proficiency will dominate category-based selection Express Entry draws in 2024 according to a recent Access to Information Request (ATIP).Express Entry draws will heavily favor French language proficiency in category-based selection. According to the ATIP data.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) plans to allocate 78.5% of all Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates through category-based draws, while the remaining 21.5% will be distributed in general draws.
Among candidates eligible for selection under the French proficiency category, 30% are expected to receive ITAs. STEM occupations will account for 25% of ITAs, followed by healthcare at 15%.
The percentages of ITAs by category break down as follows:
| Round type | Category Target |
| French proficiency | 30% |
| Healthcare occupations | 15% |
| STEM occupations | 25% |
| Trade occupations | 5% |
| Transport occupations | 3% |
| Agriculture and agri-food occupations | 0.5% |
French language proficiency
Based on the 2023 Access to Information Request (ATIP), the increased importance placed on French proficiency stemmed from the 2021 labor market challenges in Canada. During that time, employers were struggling to locate qualified and skilled workers to fill vacant positions. With the introduction of the category-based draw, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) extended invitations to the highest number of candidates from any category, totaling 17,300 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) since July 2023.
Additionally, IRCC highlighted that inviting more French-speaking candidates would aid in achieving its mandated target of 4.4% of all francophone immigrants settling outside of Quebec in 2023.
Who Qualifies for this French Speaking Category?
The French-speaking category typically targets individuals who demonstrate proficiency in the French language. This proficiency can be assessed through language tests such as the Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF), Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF), or Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française (DELF), among others.
Candidates who qualify for this category may include:
- Individuals with strong French language skills, evidenced through language test results.
- Those who have studied or worked in French-speaking environments and can provide documentation or certifications to support their language proficiency.
- Applicants who are proficient in both English and French, as bilingualism is often highly valued in Canada.
- Individuals with job offers or relevant work experience in francophone communities or sectors where French language skills are in demand.
- Candidates who have completed education or training programs in French.
Impact of CRS Scores
According to IRCC’s statement following the introduction of category-based rounds in the 2023 ATIP, the average Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is anticipated to decrease by approximately 10%. This decline is expected to potentially facilitate a broader diversity in both the source countries of immigrants and their occupational backgrounds. However, IRCC also acknowledged that this drop in CRS scores could have adverse effects on the economic outcomes of newcomers.
Recent Express Entry draws have demonstrated higher minimum CRS scores for general draws, consistently remaining above 524 points. In contrast, certain category-based selection draws have featured lower CRS scores. For instance, a draw focused on French proficiency on February 29 saw a CRS score requirement as low as 336 points.
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