Representative image (AI-generated)

Hardeep is pouring over French texts during his lunch break. The reason? He is one among the many lakhs whose temporary work permit is due to expire in 2026. Today the most promising gateway to permanent residency (PR) seems the French-language proficiency draws.An analysis done by TOI of the Express Entry draws since Sept 2025 up to early Feb 2026, show that of the thirty draws held during this period, the French-language proficiency draws recorded the lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off scores across all categories, dipping as low as 399 in mid-Dec.For Hardeep, the option of extending his temporary work permit appears bleak with Canada committed to reduce temporary resident volumes through departures, program limits, and lower immigration levels to less than 5% of the population by the end of 2027. The targets for intake of temporary workers for 2026 is 2.30 lakh with a 10,000 decline in the subsequent two years. It is a strategic reset, with a steady intake for permanent residents and a sharp drop for temporary residents. The immigration levels plan (for 2026-2028) has set a target of 3.80 lakh for overall permanent resident admissions for each of the three years (within a range of 3.50 lakh to 4.20 lakh).Express Entry mechanism is the system under which aspirants apply for permanent residency, are placed in a pool, and are ranked based on the CRS. Those meeting the cut-off score in that particular draw are given an invitation to apply for permanent residency.For prospective immigrants eyeing Canadian permanent residence (PR), proficiency in French has increasingly become the decisive advantage, with Express Entry data over the past six months and recent policy announcements underscoring Ottawa’s strong tilt towards Francophone candidates. Further proficiency in French also helps a candidate score up to 50 points in other draws.TOI spoke to several Canada based, regulated immigration consultants, to decode what is the best bet for those aspiring for permanent residency. Ken Nickel-Lane, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), founder of an immigration services firm, summed it up neatly: “For those interested in PR today, French is very much the proverbial ‘golden ticket’, a strong policy focus is driving a spike in language training. The next best option is category-based selection draws for those who qualify, or may qualify if new categories emerge in 2026. Candidates who do not fit these categories but have Canadian experience still benefit from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), which requires at least one year of work and rewards additional years incrementally. Recent CEC cut-offs show a marginal easing, falling to 509 on January 21 after being at 520 on Dec 10, 2025. Draws prior to Dec had had remained in the 530s for months, suggesting volumes were managed to keep scores at that level. For many, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) serve as a backup plan.”French, the golden ticket to permanent residencyTalha Mohani, RCIC, managing partner, at Migration Bureau Canada confirmed to TOI that there is a surge in inland Indian candidates learning French purely as a CRS strategy. “Since category-based draws (which include the French-language draws) were introduced, French-language proficiency has become one of the most powerful score multipliers in Express Entry. In several 2024 and 2025 French category draws, CRS cut- offs were significantly lower than general draws, sometimes by 50 to 80 points. That difference is often the line between waiting indefinitely and receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence. Importantly, these French-language draws are federal draws and candidates do not need to intend to live in Quebec, which is a common misconception.”Gurpreet Oshan, RCIC, founder of Pacific Ways Immigration Consultancy added that, “Learning French can give a game-changing CRS boost of additional 50 points if the candidate can score Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 9 in English language proficiency and a CLB score of 7 in French language proficiency. Further, A CLB score of 7 in French language also makes a candidate eligible for the French-language proficiency draws.”The caution point: Only TEF Canada and TCF Canada are accepted for Express Entry. Results are valid for two years, so timing strategy also matters.The Canadian government has set specific rising targets for French-speaking permanent resident admissions outside of Quebec at 9% in 2026 touching 10.5% in 2028. Recently, it was announced that starting in 2026, the government of Canada will reserve 5,000 federal selection spaces to allow provinces and territories to designate French-speaking immigrants. These spaces will be in addition to the annual Provincial Nominee Program allocations and will help reduce the shortage of Francophone and bilingual workers by attracting top global talent. The aim is to reach the 12% target of French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec by 2029.Manish Kapoor, RCIC said that, “Immigration practitioners are advising candidates who may not qualify through other streams to seriously consider learning French, as it’s becoming one of the most reliable pathways to receiving an invitation.” He is also seeing a growing trend of Indian students with Canadian education and experience returning to India to learn French, hoping to qualify under the Francophone category.The numbers tell the story, Oshan points out that “Canada has had a whopping 27 category-based draws for French-language proficiency category with over 88,000 applicants invited for permanent residency between 2023 and 2026. The most recent draw on Feb 6, was also the largest draw wherein 8,500 candidates were invited with CRS being 400. “Kapoor adds, “Nearly half of all Express Entry invitations issued in 2025 went to French-speaking candidates. While Canada continues to emphasize the Canadian Experience Class for in-Canada applicants, the recent Feb 6, French-proficiency category draw with a significant number of invites, indicates that Francophone immigration will remain a priority throughout 2026.”

French-Language Proficiency: Express Entry Invitations

(2 September 2025 – 6 February 2026)

Category (occupation) based selection, only if you fit in!If one looks at the CRS cut-offs, after French-proficiency category draws, occupation category-based selection (CBS)seems to be a promising route for those who qualify, particularly in healthcare and education. In the two Healthcare and social services occupation draws, during the period reviewed by TOI, the lowest cut off was 462. The one draw each under Trades and Education saw a cut-off of 505, and 462 respectively.There is a big but! “Occupation based draws in healthcare, trades and education have opened doors, but they come with structural challenges. Professional regulation remains the real hurdle. The immigration system may select them, but provincial licensing determines whether they can work in their field,” said Mohani. He added, “For healthcare professionals, immigration approval does not equal the right to practice. Provincial regulatory bodies control licensing. There are credential assessments, exams, supervised practice requirements and sometimes bridging programs. Many Indian candidates underestimate this gap. Education professionals, especially teachers, must obtain provincial certification. That involves credential evaluation and sometimes additional coursework or exams.”“In healthcare, trades, and education occupations, candidates may have strong professional backgrounds, yet their job duties, documentation, or employment records often do not clearly align with Canadian requirements. Many struggle to obtain detailed employer reference letters, accurate job descriptions, or verifiable proof of full-time skilled duties. In regulated fields like healthcare and education, licensing adds another layer of complexity in order to be eligible to practice in these fields,” added Oshan.At present several immigrants with foreign degrees and professional licenses have to take up menial jobs, which include driving buses, while they wait endlessly for their credentials to be recognized.While these hurdles remain, Canada has announced the creation of a ‘Foreign Credential Recognition Action Fund’, a $97 million initiative spread over five years. “The government will work with the provinces and territories to make credential recognition fairer, faster, and more transparent, helping qualified foreign-trained professionals contribute more quickly to Canada’s workforce, including in fields facing labour shortages such as health care and construction,” stated an Oct 2025, release issued by the Ministry of Finance and National Revenue.Read Also: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/canada-to-launch-97-million-fund-to-speed-up-foreign-credential-recognition-in-key-sectors/articleshow/124900161.cmsAnother measure was also announced last Dec, by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) of creating a new Express Entry category for international doctors with at least one year of Canadian work experience in an eligible occupation, gained within the last three years. Invitations to apply for the new Express Entry category will commence in 2026.Read Also: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/canada-unveils-new-express-entry-category-for-doctors/articleshow/125876573.cmsCanadian Experience CRS cut-offs ease marginallyFor candidates without French proficiency or eligibility under occupation related category-based selection draws, but who have a year or more relevant work experience in Canada, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) remains the most realistic pathway. However, the data suggests only a marginal relief on CRS cut-offs. CEC invitations during the period totalled 30,000, making it one of the largest programs by volume, though still highly competitive.Nickel-Lane pointed out, “The lowest CEC cut-off during the six-month period stood at 509 in Jan, following a 515 cut-off in Dec, 2025. Prior to that, CEC draws consistently hovered in the 530–534 range, indicating a relatively controlled invitation strategy.”

Canadian Experience Class: Express Entry Invitations

(2 September 2025 – 6 February 2026)

Oshan pointed out: “To qualify for the CEC draws, an applicant must have at least one year of authorized skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations. They must also meet the required minimum language proficiency of CLB 7 for TEER 0/1 jobs or CLB 5 for TEER 2/3 jobs.” The TEER system categorises jobs based on the level of training, education, experience, and responsibilities needed: TEER 0: Management (e.g., Managers); TEER 1: University Degree; TEER 2: 2-3 year college diploma or apprenticeship (2+ years); TEER 3: 2-year college diploma or apprenticeship (<2 years). She further explained: “The CRS score is a mix of the following factors – age, education, language ability, work experience in Canada and abroad, amongst other factors. For example, a single candidate under 29 with a Canadian Master’s degree, CLB 9 English, and three years of Canadian work experience would typically have a baseline score of around CRS 513. The same candidate with a Canadian Bachelor’s degree instead of a Master’s would score approximately CRS 498. If the candidate holds a two-year Canadian diploma with the same profile, the baseline score would drop to about CRS 461. With other variables in the mix, such as, foreign work experience, additional years worked in Canada, gaining proficiency in both languages, being married, age above 29 etc., the score would be higher/lower for these candidates.” According to Mohani, the recent decline in CRS from 520 to 509 reflects changes in the pool composition. Why are CEC scores softening? Several factors are at play. A number of temporary residents are leaving Canada as work permits expire. Category based draws are diverting high scoring candidates into French or occupation specific streams. At the same time, the current Immigration Levels Plan continues to prioritize applicants already in Canada, which supports continued CEC draws.“The challenge for Indian candidates is internal competition. Many who arrived as teenagers and completed diplomas with one year of Canadian work experience are competing against candidates with Masters or PhDs, several years of foreign experience, and additional Canadian experience. The latter group naturally scores higher. So while the cut off is easing slightly, competition remains intense,” he added.“While points have come down slightly, we don’t expect a meaningful decline,” Nickel-Lane said. “The distribution of scores in the pool just doesn’t support it. Even if IRCC becomes aggressive with volumes early in the year and scores dip below 500, chances are they could trend back up quickly.”Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) remain a backup planWhile PNPs offer a realistic backup plan for those unable to qualify under other draw- routes, they remain less attractive for many candidates due to higher costs and longer processing times. Over the period analysed by TOI, PNP cut-offs ranged from 699 to 855, reflecting the 600-point CRS boost that comes with a provincial nomination.“PNPs are really a last resort unless there is a very clear fit,” Nickle-Lane said. “They take longer, cost more, and are simply less efficient for most candidates unless they fall under a specific in-demand stream.”

Provincial Nominee Program: Express Entry Invitations

(2 September 2025 – 6 February 2026)

Oshan explained the sequence. Typically, the candidate first focuses on obtaining employment in a province, the employer then supports a provincial nomination, and that nomination adds 600 CRS points in Express Entry. However, it is important to note that federal immigration levels have recently reduced the overall number of PNP nomination allocations available to provinces, making these programs more competitive and selective than before.“While there have been several stories of Indian applicants where a provincial nomination made (which awards 600 points) made all the difference, this is not a simple alternative. Each province has its own economic priorities. Some streams are employer driven and require a genuine job offer. Others are occupation targeted. Some are aligned with Express Entry, while others operate outside of it. There are also international graduate streams and entrepreneur pathways,” Mohani explained.“Most PNP streams fall into two broad categories: employer-driven streams that require a valid job offer, and human capital streams that target specific skills or profiles. For Indian candidates, success in PNP typically depends on having Canadian work experience, working in an in-demand occupation, and securing a genuine job offer from a provincial employer,” said Oshan.According to immigration experts, the choice of a province depends on a candidate’s occupation, work experience, and even family ties. Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Atlantic provinces, have been popular among the Indian diaspora.The caution point: According to Oshan, candidates should be cautious about changing provinces simply for PNP eligibility. Interprovincial migration among temporary foreign workers can be risky, especially for those on employer-specific work permits, as moving provinces often requires a new job offer, a new work permit, and proof of genuine intent to settle in the province. Switching provinces without a clear employment plan may disrupt immigration strategy rather than improve it. Ultimately, the approach must always be profile-driven and practical, not based on relocating in the hope of finding an easier pathway.PR strategy must be situationalAccording to Nickel-Lane, PR strategy should always begin with a detailed CRS assessment, followed by a structured review of options starting with French, then CBS, CEC and, finally, PNPs. Candidates in the high 400s or low 500s are still advised to enter the Express Entry pool. “You simply never know when IRCC may run a series of larger draws,” he said. “If you’re not in the pool, you miss the opportunity altogether. Provinces can also pick candidates directly from the pool. Those in the 470s or below, with limited scope to improve their scores, may need to adopt a longer-term approach either exploring provincial options or waiting for policy shifts,” he added.The best guidance is: Learn French! as the government is committed to Francophone immigration.