What was the CRS score cutoff for Express Entry Draw #394?

The minimum CRS cut-off score for Express Entry Draw #394 was 400 points.

How many invitations were issued in Express Entry Round #394?

IRCC issued 8,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates.

Which category was targeted in Draw #394?

Draw #394 targeted candidates under the French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 program category.

Express Entry Draw #394: French Cutoff 400 (February 6, 2026)

MINIMUM CRS CUT-OFF 🔺 +1 pts

400

INVITATIONS ISSUED (ITAs)

                        8,500
                    

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 +1 points (rising from 399 to 400). With 51 days elapsing between rounds #388 and #394, high-scoring candidates continued to enter the Express Entry pool. Because the intake was calibrated at 8,500 ITAs, the cut-off remained elevated among top-tier candidate profiles.

By issuing invitations with a cutoff of 400, 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 400 CRS Profile (Targeted French Candidate)

A cutoff of 400 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
#394 THIS DRAW	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
#365	September 4, 2025	446	🔻 35	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?

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