What was the CRS score cutoff for Express Entry Draw #418?

The minimum CRS cut-off score for Express Entry Draw #418 was 409 points.

How many invitations were issued in Express Entry Round #418?

IRCC issued 4,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates.

Which category was targeted in Draw #418?

Draw #418 targeted candidates under the French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 program category.

Express Entry Draw #418: French Cutoff 409 (May 28, 2026)

MINIMUM CRS CUT-OFF 🔺 +9 pts

409

INVITATIONS ISSUED (ITAs)

                        4,500
                    

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 cut-off score increased by +9 points (rising from 400 to 409). With 29 days elapsing between rounds #414 and #418, high-scoring candidates continued to enter the Express Entry pool. Because the intake was calibrated at 4,500 ITAs, the cut-off remained elevated among top-tier candidate profiles.

By issuing invitations with a cutoff of 409, 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 409 CRS Profile (Targeted French Candidate)

A cutoff of 409 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
#418 THIS DRAW	May 28, 2026	409	🔺 +9	4,500
#414	April 29, 2026	400	🔻 19	4,000
#411	April 15, 2026	419	🔺 +26	4,000
#405	March 18, 2026	393	🔻 4	4,000
#401	March 4, 2026	397	🔻 3	5,500
#394	February 6, 2026	400	🔺 +1	8,500

⏱️ 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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