What Happened in the October 2025 Draw?
Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a special Express Entry draw targeting people with strong French skills. Here’s the quick rundown:
- Date: October 6, 2025
- Who Got Invited: 4,500 candidates with French proficiency (NCLC 7 or higher in reading, writing, speaking, and listening)
- CRS Score Needed: 432 (lowest in months!)
- Why It’s a Big Deal: This draw was delayed a week, likely due to IRCC sorting out CRS data. The lower cutoff is a win for skilled workers and students like you.
This draw shows Canada’s love for bilingual talent, especially with only 280,920 PR spots up for grabs in 2025. If you speak French or want to learn, this could be your ticket to PR.
Why French Matters for Your PR:
Canada’s pushing hard to grow its French-speaking communities outside Quebec, and that’s why these draws are huge. If you’re from India, Poland, Pakistan, or China, adding French to your English skills can boost your CRS score by up to 50 points. For example:
- Indian nurses: Pair your IELTS with a TEF Canada test to stand out in healthcare draws.
- Polish IT pros: French opens doors in Quebec’s tech hubs.
- Pakistani tradespeople: French skills make you a top pick for provinces like New Brunswick.
- Chinese students: TEF’s speaking section is a great fit for Mandarin speakers.
Don’t speak French yet? Start with online courses or local classes in Canada. It’s a game-changer for PR in 2025.
How to Build a Winning Express Entry Profile:
Missed this draw? No stress—you can still shine in the next one. Here’s how to make your Express Entry profile irresistible:
- Nail Your Language Tests: Get NCLC 7+ in French (TEF or TCF) and CLB 7+ in English (IELTS or CELPIP). Pakistani applicants, CELPIP’s a solid choice.
- Verify Your Education: Use WES to assess your Indian or Pakistani degree. Chinese and Polish grads, a Canadian diploma adds 15-30 CRS points.
- Highlight Work Experience: Show 1-3 years in skilled jobs (like nursing, coding, or welding). Pakistani welders, list Red Seal certifications for trades.
- Aim Young: If you’re under 35, you get max age points (110). Indian families, include your spouse’s language scores for a boost.
- Update Regularly: Add new work or study experience to your profile. A Chinese student with a new PGWP could jump 20 points.
Example: A 29-year-old Indian pharmacist with NCLC 8 French and a master’s degree could hit 460 CRS—well above the 432 cutoff.
What’s Next for Your Application?
Didn’t get an ITA yet? Here’s what to do:
- Check Upcoming Draws: IRCC runs draws every two weeks. Expect more French or healthcare-focused rounds soon, with 4,000-5,000 ITAs and cutoffs around 420-450.
- Explore PNPs: Provinces like Alberta (July 2025 draw had CRS as low as 66 for trades) or Manitoba love international students.
- Track Your Profile: Visit IRCC’s pool stats to see where you stand.
- Get Help: Email us at harry@canadairccnews.com for a free CRS review or draw updates.
With 2025’s PR cuts (down 105,000 spots), every move counts. Stay sharp and keep your profile fresh.

