What was the CRS score cutoff for Express Entry Draw #401?

The minimum CRS cut-off score for Express Entry Draw #401 was 397 points.

How many invitations were issued in Express Entry Round #401?

IRCC issued 5,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates.

Which category was targeted in Draw #401?

Draw #401 targeted candidates under the French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 program category.

Express Entry Draw #401: French Cutoff 397 (March 4, 2026)

MINIMUM CRS CUT-OFF 🔻 3 pts

397

INVITATIONS ISSUED (ITAs)

                        5,500
                    

404

2026 French Avg

382

Lowest in 2026

435

Highest in 2026

55,500

2026 French ITAs

Historical Cutoff Trend — Last 8 Rounds

📊 Cut-off Dynamics & Intake Analysis

The minimum CRS threshold declined by 3 points (from 400 down to 397). This point easing was primarily enabled by IRCC issuing 5,500 invitations — an adjustment from the 8,500 ITAs issued during round #394 (26 days prior). Larger invitation sizes directly allow ministerial instructions to reach deeper into candidate tiers within the pool.

By issuing invitations with a cutoff of 397, this round successfully bypassed the high-density 500+ score band. Targeted category selection under ministerial instructions allows Canada to address specific labor shortages without requiring candidates to achieve unreachable general human capital scores.

🎯 Anatomy of a 397 CRS Profile (Targeted French Candidate)

A cutoff of 397 allows qualified candidates to secure permanent residence invitations without needing to compete with hyper-competitive general cutoffs above 515.

Category Qualification: Meets specific IRCC category criteria for French (e.g. NCLC 7 French or 6 months targeted work).
Core Human Capital: Age, Bachelor's or diploma credential, and relevant professional experience.
Language Requirement: Standard category threshold (e.g. CLB 7 for skilled trades/French ability).

Recent Same-Category Draws Comparison

Round	Date	Cut-off	Change	ITAs Issued
#401 THIS DRAW	March 4, 2026	397	🔻 3	5,500
#394	February 6, 2026	400	🔺 +1	8,500
#388	December 17, 2025	399	🔻 9	6,000
#382	November 28, 2025	408	🔻 8	6,000
#376	October 29, 2025	416	🔻 16	6,000
#371	October 6, 2025	432	🔻 14	4,500

⏱️ Received an ITA? The 60-Calendar-Day Action Plan

From the moment your Invitation to Apply (ITA) appears in your IRCC account, you have strictly 60 calendar days to submit a complete electronic Application for Permanent Residence (e-APR). Late or incomplete packages are rejected without refund.

1. Police Clearance Certificates (PCC): Order certificates immediately for every country where you lived 6+ consecutive months since age 18.

2. Work Experience Reference Letters: Letters must include official letterhead, job title, exact duties matching the NOC code lead statement, dates, weekly hours (30+ hrs/wk), and remuneration.

3. Upfront Medical Examination (IME): Schedule with an official IRCC panel physician or provide your existing eMedical tracking information.

Settlement Funds: Ensure your bank balances meet the mandatory IRCC low-income cut-off (LICO) for your family size (unless exempt).

Will Your CRS Score Qualify in the Next Round?

Calculate your exact candidate pool rank, see how many applicants are ahead of you, and track real-time cutoff predictions.

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