French-language draw #452: CRS 407, 5,000 invitations

FrenchExaminer · Published 2026-11-06 · 4 min read · AI-drafted, reviewed by a second AI pass, not yet reviewed by a human

On 2026-10-27, IRCC held French-language round #452 and invited 5,000 candidates, with a lowest CRS score of 407, compared with 435 in round #450. If you hold NCLC 7 in all four French abilities, compare your own CRS score with 407 to see where you stand and what to work on.

What happened in this French-language draw?

According to the IRCC rounds page, round #452 took place on 2026-10-27. IRCC invited 5,000 candidates, and the lowest CRS score among those invited was 407.

The cut-off is the score of the lowest-ranked candidate invited in that round. Always read the figures directly on the official rounds page, since that is where IRCC publishes them.

The round belongs to the French-language proficiency category of Express Entry category-based selection. IRCC states that this category requires NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities (listening, speaking, reading, writing). Dates, sizes and cut-offs change from round to round.

How does it compare with the previous French-language rounds?

The table below lists the official figures for round #452 and three earlier French-language rounds. Two things stand out: the invitation count was the same each time, and the cut-off moved a lot.

Round	Date	Invitations	Lowest CRS invited
#452	2026-10-27	5,000	407
#450	2026-10-16	5,000	435
#437	2026-08-19	5,000	382
#433	2026-08-06	5,000	391

Round #452 sits between the high of 435 in round #450 and the lower cut-offs of 382 and 391 in the August rounds.

These four figures show that the cut-off can vary noticeably between rounds. They do not allow you to predict the next one, and nothing in the official data tells you what the next cut-off will be. For a closer look at an earlier round, see our note on draw #450 and what it means.

Who can be invited in these rounds?

The French-language proficiency category requires NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities, according to IRCC. One ability below NCLC 7 is enough to fall outside the category, so check each skill separately.

For TCF Canada, IRCC's equivalence table maps NCLC 7 to these scores: listening 458-502, reading 453-498, and speaking and writing 10-11 (each scored out of 20). For TEF Canada, NCLC 7 means listening 249-279, reading 207-232, and speaking and writing 310-348. Both tests are recognised by IRCC, and results are valid two years.

You can convert your own results with the NCLC calculator. If you are choosing between the two tests, our guide on TCF Canada or TEF Canada compares them, and the page on Express Entry French draws tracks how these rounds work.

How do French skills count in your CRS score?

Your CRS score is what you compare with 407. The IRCC grid gives points for French as a first official language, per ability: CLB 7 = 16 points with a spouse or 17 without, CLB 8 = 22 or 23, CLB 9 = 29 or 31, and CLB 10 or above = 32 or 34.

French also earns additional points. With NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities and English at CLB 4 or lower (or no English test), you receive 25 points. With English at CLB 5 or higher in all four abilities, you receive 50 points. The grid page announces changes to work-experience and job-offer points from November 3, 2026, but the French points above are not among them.

See CRS points for French for a worked breakdown. Once you have your total, put it next to 407 and next to the earlier cut-offs in the table above.

What should you do if your score is below the cut-off?

First, identify the gap. A score a few points under 407 and a score far under it call for different work. The grid above shows that each higher CLB level in French adds points for that ability, so look at which of your four abilities is closest to the next level.

Convert your results to NCLC with the calculator and find the ability closest to the NCLC 7 line or to the next level up.
Check your English results: additional French points are 25 with English at CLB 4 or lower (or no English test) and 50 with English at CLB 5 or higher in all four abilities.
Plan a retake only for the ability that limits you, then practise it under test conditions.

Our weekly TCF Canada practice routine shows how to organise that work. Practice improves your skills; it does not guarantee a score or an invitation.

To see your current level quickly, take the free instant level test. It gives an estimate, not an official result.

Questions candidates ask

What was the lowest CRS score in French draw 452?

In French-language round #452, held on 2026-10-27, the lowest CRS score invited was 407, according to the IRCC rounds page. IRCC invited 5,000 candidates. Check the official rounds page for the full details of this round, since IRCC publishes the figures there.

Is NCLC 7 enough for the French category draw?

NCLC 7 in all four abilities is the minimum IRCC requires for the French-language proficiency category. Meeting it makes you eligible for these rounds, but being invited also depends on your CRS score compared with the cut-off of each round.

How many invitations were issued in the latest French draw?

Round #452 issued 5,000 invitations, the same number as rounds #450, #437 and #433 listed on the IRCC rounds page. The count was equal in all four rounds, while the lowest CRS score invited changed from round to round.

Will the next French-language draw have a similar cut-off?

Nobody can say from the official data. The cut-offs of the four rounds listed here were 435, 382, 391 and 407, so they vary. IRCC publishes each result only after the round, on its rounds page, so plan around your own score.

How long are TCF Canada and TEF Canada results valid?

Both TCF Canada and TEF Canada results are valid for two years. Keep this in mind when planning a retake, and check the validity dates on your result documents before relying on them for an Express Entry profile.

How do I know my CRS score before the draw?

Your CRS score is calculated from your profile using the IRCC points grid, including French language points per ability and the additional French points. Add the factors up carefully, then compare your total with the lowest score invited in recent rounds, such as 407 in round #452.

Which TCF Canada scores equal NCLC 7?

According to IRCC's equivalence table, NCLC 7 on TCF Canada means 458-502 in listening, 453-498 in reading, and 10-11 in speaking and writing, each scored out of 20. You need NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities for the French-language category.