Express Entry draw #450 on 16 October 2026 invited 5,000 candidates to apply for permanent residence, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 435.
IRCC ran the round for French-language proficiency. Candidates at exactly 435 were separated by the tie-breaking rule: the cut-off was the profile submitted before October 06, 2026 at 21:31:22 UTC.
Draw #450 at a glance
| Round number | 450 |
|---|---|
| Date | 16 October 2026 |
| Round type | French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 |
| Programs covered | Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades Program |
| Invitations issued | 5,000 |
| Lowest CRS score invited | 435 |
| Tie-breaking rule | Profile submitted before October 06, 2026 at 21:31:22 UTC |
What the French-language category requires
Eligibility turns on test results, not on where a candidate lives or which program they are in. IRCC requires a minimum score of 7 in all four language abilities on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) — reading, writing, listening and speaking — plus the requirements in the instructions for the round.
That threshold is why French-language rounds are the largest and lowest-scoring rounds in the Express Entry calendar. The pool of candidates who clear NCLC 7 in all four abilities is small, so a round that invites thousands reaches far deeper into it than a round drawn from the general pool.
Against the previous French-language proficiency round
| Round | Date | CRS cut-off | Invitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| #437 | 19 August 2026 | 382 | 5,000 |
| #450 | 16 October 2026 | 435 | 5,000 |
The cut-off is 53 points higher than #437. Invitations were unchanged by 0.
What the cut-off does not tell you
A cut-off is the lowest score invited in one round. It is not a threshold for the program, a forecast, or a target. It moves with round size, the category being invited and the composition of the pool on the day. A score that was sufficient in this round may not be sufficient in the next one, even of the same type.
Before the next round
- Check that your profile is still active and has not expired — an expired profile cannot be invited, whatever your score.
- Confirm your language test and educational credential assessment are still valid on the date of the round.
- Update your profile if you have new language results or additional qualifying work experience; the score used is the one in the profile when the round runs.
- Read the ministerial instruction for the round you are hoping to be reached by — it sets the eligibility, and it can change between rounds.
Frequently asked questions
How many invitations were issued in draw #450?
5,000.
What was the CRS cut-off in draw #450?
435. Candidates at exactly 435 needed a profile submitted before October 06, 2026 at 21:31:22 UTC to be invited.
Does this round change the rules?
No. A round applies the instructions already in force when it is published. It does not create new eligibility criteria or change the CRS grid.
Official sources
- Ministerial instruction for round #450 — the official record for this round.
- Express Entry rounds of invitations — the full historical database.
- IRCC: category-based selection — current eligibility requirements.
Figures are taken from IRCC’s published record for round #450 and checked against that record. CRSPoint is independent of IRCC and the Government of Canada, and this article is general information, not advice on any individual file.
