EXPRESS ENTRY: 5,500 ITAS FOR FRENCH AND SENIOR MANAGERS
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada held two consecutive category-based Express Entry draws on July 9 and July 10, 2026, issuing a combined total of 5,500 Invitations to Apply for permanent residence.
The first round targeted candidates with French-language proficiency, while the second focused on senior managers who have qualifying Canadian work experience.
Although both rounds took place through the Express Entry system, they selected candidates based on very different criteria. The French-language round was based primarily on demonstrated French ability, while the senior manager round required specific Canadian work experience in one of four eligible National Occupational Classification codes.
The results demonstrate why Express Entry candidates should look beyond general CRS cut-off scores. Canada is increasingly using category-based selection to identify candidates whose language skills, professional backgrounds or Canadian experience support specific immigration and labour-market objectives.
Summary of the July 2026 Express Entry Draws
Date: July 9, 2026 | Round: #425 | Category: French-language proficiency | Invitations: 5,000 | Minimum CRS: 420
Date: July 10, 2026 | Round: #426 | Category: Senior managers with Canadian work experience | Invitations: 500 | Minimum CRS: 392
Together, the two rounds resulted in 5,500 candidates receiving an opportunity to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
Note: A candidate’s CRS score alone was not enough. To be considered, each candidate first had to meet the requirements of the category selected by IRCC.
What Is Category-Based Express Entry Selection?
Express Entry is the federal application management system used for three economic immigration programs:
The Canadian Experience Class
The Federal Skilled Worker Program
The Federal Skilled Trades Program
Candidates who qualify for at least one of these programs may create an Express Entry profile. They are then assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System score based on factors such as age, education, official-language ability, Canadian and foreign work experience, and other qualifications.
IRCC may conduct different types of invitation rounds.
A general round considers eligible candidates across the programs managed through Express Entry.
A program-specific round is limited to candidates eligible under a particular immigration program.
A category-based round considers candidates who meet the requirements of a category established by the Minister of Immigration.
This means that category eligibility does not replace basic Express Entry eligibility. A person may have strong French skills or qualifying Canadian senior-management experience but still be unable to enter the pool if they do not meet the requirements of at least one Express Entry program.
Similarly, meeting the category requirements does not guarantee an invitation. Candidates who qualify for the category are still ranked according to their CRS scores, and IRCC invites the highest-ranking candidates within that eligible group.
French-Language Proficiency Draw Invites 5,000 Candidates
On July 9, 2026, IRCC conducted Express Entry round #425 for candidates eligible under the French-language proficiency category. IRCC issued 5,000 Invitations to Apply, and the lowest-ranked candidate invited had a CRS score of 420.
The size of the round is significant because it continues Canada’s use of Express Entry to support Francophone immigration outside Quebec. French-language proficiency remains one of the current Express Entry categories. It is not limited to one occupation or employment sector. Candidates may have professional experience in many different industries, provided they meet both the French-language requirements and the requirements of an Express Entry program.
Who Can Qualify for the French-Language Category?
To qualify under the French-language proficiency category, a candidate must have approved French-language test results demonstrating at least NCLC 7 in each of the four tested abilities:
Speaking
Listening
Reading
Writing
The two French examinations currently accepted for Express Entry are TEF Canada and TCF Canada.
Language results must remain valid both when the candidate creates or updates an Express Entry profile and when a permanent residence application is submitted. IRCC considers language results valid for less than two years. Candidates should therefore monitor expiration dates carefully. Receiving an invitation with language results that will expire shortly can create significant time pressure during the permanent residence application stage.
Warning: Submitting an application with expired language results can result in refusal.
French Can Also Increase a Candidate’s CRS Score
French ability can provide more than access to French-language category draws. It may also add points to the candidate’s overall CRS score. A candidate with NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities may receive:
25 additional CRS points when the candidate has CLB 4 or lower in English or has not submitted an English test
50 additional CRS points when the candidate also has CLB 5 or higher in all four English abilities
This creates an important strategic distinction. Some candidates study French only until they reach the minimum NCLC 7 required for category eligibility. Others may benefit from continuing to improve both French and English because stronger language scores can increase their CRS ranking and improve their competitiveness in several types of draws. The correct strategy depends on the candidate’s complete profile, including age, education, work experience, marital status, language results and eligibility under the federal programs.
IRCC Invites 500 Senior Managers With Canadian Experience
On July 10, 2026, IRCC conducted Express Entry round #426 for senior managers with Canadian work experience. IRCC issued 500 Invitations to Apply, and the CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate invited was 392.
The lower cut-off should not be interpreted as a general Express Entry cut-off. Only candidates who met the requirements of the senior managers with Canadian work experience category were considered in this round. A candidate with a CRS score above 392 would not have received an invitation through this draw unless the candidate also had the required Canadian experience in one of the eligible occupations.
Who Qualifies Under the Senior Manager Category?
To qualify for this category, a candidate must have accumulated at least 12 months of full-time work experience, or an equivalent amount of part-time experience, within the three years before the round.
The experience:
Must have been obtained in Canada
Does not need to have been continuous
Must have been accumulated in one eligible occupation
Must correspond to one of the NOC codes selected by IRCC
Must meet the requirements established for the invitation round
The eligible senior-management occupations are:
NOC 00012: Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services (May include senior executives responsible for organizations providing financial, communications or other business services.)
NOC 00013: Senior managers – health, education, social and community services and membership organizations (May include senior executives responsible for organizations operating in health, education, social services, community services or membership-based sectors.)
NOC 00014: Senior managers – trade, broadcasting and other services (May include senior executives in trade, broadcasting and other service industries.)
NOC 00015: Senior managers – construction, transportation, production and utilities (May include senior executives responsible for organizations in construction, transportation, manufacturing, production or utility services.)
The category does not include every management occupation. Many candidates work as managers, directors, supervisors or department heads but are not classified under one of these senior-management NOC codes. The category is restricted to the occupations specifically identified by IRCC.
A Job Title Is Not Enough to Establish Eligibility
Candidates should not select a senior-management NOC solely because their employment title includes words such as “manager,” “director,” “head,” “vice-president” or “executive.”
NOC classification is based substantially on the actual nature of the position and the duties performed. The candidate’s employment evidence should support the selected classification, including the scope of authority, organizational responsibilities, decision-making functions and main duties associated with the role. There can be a considerable difference between managing a department and directing the overall activities of an organization or major business unit.
Incorrectly classifying work experience can affect both category eligibility and the underlying Express Entry application. Candidates must ensure that the information entered in their profiles can be supported with appropriate employment documentation.
Senior-Management Employment No Longer Provides Job-Offer CRS Points
Candidates should also distinguish between senior-management category eligibility and CRS points for arranged employment. Since March 25, 2025, Express Entry no longer awards additional CRS points for job offers. This includes the 200 points that were previously available for arranged employment in Major Group 00 senior-management occupations.
A qualifying job offer may still be relevant to eligibility under certain federal or provincial immigration programs. However, it does not currently provide the former 50 or 200 additional CRS points.
What These Draws Mean for Express Entry Candidates
The two invitation rounds illustrate how different immigration strategies may produce different opportunities.
For candidates with strong French skills, the July 9 round confirms that French continues to be an important pathway within Express Entry. Candidates who are not currently competitive in broader invitation rounds may benefit from assessing whether French-language training is realistic within their immigration timeline. However, beginning French studies does not produce an immediate immigration result. Reaching NCLC 7 in all four abilities normally requires sustained preparation, and the candidate must still qualify for an Express Entry program.
For senior managers already working in Canada, the July 10 round creates a more targeted opportunity. These candidates should review whether their work experience falls within one of the four eligible NOC codes, whether they have accumulated the required period of Canadian experience and whether their employment documentation accurately reflects their responsibilities.
Candidates should also keep their profiles current. Changes involving language results, employment, education, marital status, family composition or immigration status may affect the CRS score or program eligibility.
What Should Candidates Do Next?
Candidates who received an Invitation to Apply should carefully review the information contained in their Express Entry profiles before submitting their permanent residence applications. An invitation is based on the information declared in the profile. The permanent residence application must include documentation supporting the qualifications and points claimed.
Candidates who were not invited may consider reviewing:
Whether their CRS score is accurate
Whether their language results remain valid
Whether a new language examination could improve their score
Whether they qualify under an active Express Entry category
Whether their NOC classification accurately reflects their work
Whether additional Canadian or foreign work experience can be claimed
Whether a provincial nomination may be available
Whether changes in family circumstances affect their score
Whether their educational credentials and assessments remain valid
No single strategy applies to every candidate. A profile that appears weak under one type of invitation round may become more competitive under another category, program or provincial pathway.
Assess Your Canadian Immigration Options
Understanding an Express Entry draw requires more than comparing your CRS score with the published cut-off. You must also determine whether you meet the selected category, whether you qualify for one of the programs managed through Express Entry and whether your language, education and work-experience documents support the information declared in your profile.
Global Opportunities provides immigration assessments for individuals seeking to understand their options for Canadian permanent residence through federal programs and participating provinces and territories outside Quebec.
An assessment can help identify:
Your potential Express Entry eligibility
Your estimated CRS score
Relevant category-based selection opportunities
Your appropriate NOC classification
Language targets that may improve your profile
Provincial immigration alternatives
Documentation or eligibility issues that should be addressed before submission
Immigration programs, invitation rounds and eligibility requirements can change. An assessment does not guarantee an invitation or approval, but it can help you understand the available options and prepare a strategy based on your individual circumstances.
Contact Global Opportunities to schedule an immigration assessment or consultation and determine which Canadian immigration pathway may be appropriate for your profile.