Express Entry draw #401
French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 round held on March 4, 2026.
Quick answer
Express Entry draw #401 was a French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 round held on March 4, 2026. IRCC issued 5,500 invitations to apply, and the lowest CRS score invited was 397, 3 points lower than the previous French draw (#394).
CRS cut-off
397
-3 vs previous French draw (#394)
Invitations
5,500
Draw type
French
| Round | #401 |
|---|---|
| Date | March 4, 2026 |
| Round type | French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 |
| Invitations issued | 5,500 |
| Lowest CRS score invited | 397 |
| Tie-breaking rule | October 10, 2025 at 18:18:20 UTC |
If more than one candidate had the lowest score of 397, only those who submitted their Express Entry profile before October 10, 2025 at 18:18:20 UTC were invited.
CRS score distribution of the pool
Profiles in the Express Entry pool as of March 1, 2026. This snapshot covers all candidates, not only those eligible for this round.
| CRS range | Profiles | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 601-1200 | 258 | |
| 501-600 | 14,031 | |
| 451-500 | 71,680 | |
| 491-500 | 13,321 | |
| 481-490 | 12,678 | |
| 471-480 | 15,415 | |
| 461-470 | 15,099 | |
| 451-460 | 15,167 | |
| 401-450 | 65,868 | |
| 441-450 | 14,334 | |
| 431-440 | 14,481 | |
| 421-430 | 12,746 | |
| 411-420 | 12,511 | |
| 401-410 | 11,796 | |
| 351-400 | 53,727 | |
| 301-350 | 18,694 | |
| 0-300 | 8,276 | |
| Total | 232,534 |
How this round compares
- Its cut-off of 397 was the 4th lowest of 12 French draws in 2026 (average 404).
- Compared with the previous French draw (#394, February 6, 2026): cut-off -3, invitations 8,500 → 5,500.
- Between the pool snapshots of February 15, 2026 and March 1, 2026, the pool changed by -3,161 profiles overall and -2,550 profiles above 500 points.
- Other rounds within four days: #402 Senior managers (429), #400 CEC (508), #399 PNP (710).
Previous French draws
| Round | Date | Invitations | CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| #394 | February 6, 2026 | 8,500 | 400 |
| #388 | December 17, 2025 | 6,000 | 399 |
| #382 | November 28, 2025 | 6,000 | 408 |
| #376 | October 29, 2025 | 6,000 | 416 |
| #371 | October 6, 2025 | 4,500 | 432 |
Frequently asked questions
What was the CRS cut-off for Express Entry draw #401?+
397. IRCC invited 5,500 candidates in this French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 round on March 4, 2026; everyone invited had a CRS score of at least 397.
What was the tie-breaking rule in draw #401?+
October 10, 2025 at 18:18:20 UTC. Candidates with exactly 397 points were invited only if they submitted their profile before that date and time.
Who could be invited in draw #401?+
Only candidates eligible for the French round type. Category-based rounds for candidates with strong French-language skills (NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities).
Check your CRS score to see how you compare with this round.
Source: IRCC rounds of invitations.