If you are considering immigrating to Canada through Express Entry and you speak French, that skill can be a real advantage in your application. Beyond meeting the minimum language requirements, French speakers can earn additional points in the CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) and can even be invited through draws reserved for francophone candidates.
In this article we set out the minimum French requirements for each Express Entry program, how the extra points work, and what you need to know to get the most out of your French.
French requirements by program
The three programs managed under Express Entry each have their own language requirements. Below are the French minimums, based on the NCLC scale (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens):
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Listening and speaking: minimum NCLC 5
- Reading and writing: minimum NCLC 4
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- For TEER 0 or 1 occupations: minimum NCLC 7 across all four abilities (speaking, listening, reading and writing)
- For TEER 2 or 3 occupations: minimum NCLC 5 across all abilities
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- If French is your first official language: minimum NCLC 7 across all abilities
- If French is your second official language (with English as the first): minimum NCLC 5 across all abilities
Extra CRS points for French
On top of meeting the minimums, candidates who demonstrate a good level of French can earn extra points in the CRS, the system used to rank profiles in the Express Entry pool.
The current rules are:
- 50 extra points: if you score NCLC 7 or higher across all abilities on the French test and CLB 5 or higher across all abilities on the English test
- 25 extra points: if you score NCLC 7 or higher in French but have CLB 4 or lower in English, or submit no English test at all
Those points can make a substantial difference to a final ranking and materially improve the odds of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
Category-based draws for francophones
Since 2023, IRCC has run category-based draws within Express Entry, including a category specifically for candidates with French proficiency. To be considered in those draws:
- You need at least NCLC 7 across all abilities (speaking, listening, reading and writing) on an approved French test
The tests IRCC accepts are:
- TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français)
- TCF Canada (Test de connaissance du français)
Results must also be less than two years old, both when the Express Entry profile is created and when the application is submitted.
Conclusion
Investing in French can be an excellent strategy for improving both your eligibility and your competitiveness in Express Entry. Whether through extra CRS points or access to francophone-only draws, the Canadian government places a high value on the language — including outside Quebec.
At Turas Immigration, we offer specialist guidance to help you build your profile around your level of French and your immigration goals. Get in touch and find out how French could open a route to permanent residence in Canada.
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