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French in Express Entry: minimums, CRS points and French draws

A TCF Canada or TEF Canada result counts three ways in Express Entry. It can make you eligible for a program, it earns CRS points for each ability, and at NCLC 7 in all four abilities it adds points for French and access to French-language draws.

By Certloom Learning, publisher of NCLC Ready. Checked against the official sources listed at the end.

1. Minimum levels to be eligible

IRCC accepts TCF Canada or TEF Canada as proof of French in Express Entry. Your four NCLC levels count in three separate ways.

  • Federal Skilled Worker Program: NCLC 7 in all four abilities of your first official language.
  • Canadian Experience Class: NCLC 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs; NCLC 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs.
  • Federal Skilled Trades Program: NCLC 5 in speaking and listening, NCLC 4 in reading and writing.

2. CRS points for each ability

The language you list as your first official language earns these Comprehensive Ranking System points for each of its four abilities.

Level (NCLC or CLB)Without a spouse or partnerWith a spouse or partner
Below 400
4 or 566
698
71716
82322
93129
10 or more3432

Your second official language adds up to 6 points per ability at NCLC or CLB 9 and higher (maximum 24 without a spouse, 22 with one).

3. Additional points for French

  • 25 points: NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities, and CLB 4 or lower in English (or no English test).
  • 50 points: NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities, and CLB 5 or higher in all four English abilities.

In every case the lowest of your four levels sets the limit. One skill at NCLC 6 is enough to miss the French bonus and the French category, even if the other three are at NCLC 9.

French-language proficiency draws

IRCC also invites candidates through category-based rounds for French. To be eligible you need at least NCLC 7 in all four abilities, and you must meet the requirements in that round’s instructions.

When we checked, the most recent French-language round listed by IRCC was on August 19, 2026: 5,000 invitations, with a lowest CRS score of 382. Cut-offs change from round to round, so check IRCC’s rounds page for current numbers.

Three worked examples

Our arithmetic on IRCC’s CRS tables, for a candidate without a spouse or partner who lists French as the first official language. Language points only; the rest of the CRS is left out.

NCLC 9 in all four, no English test

Listening 9, reading 9, writing 9, speaking 9

First official language: 4 × 31
124
Additional points for French (NCLC 7+ in all four, no English)
25
Language-related points
149

Also meets the NCLC 7 minimum for French-language draws.

The same French, plus CLB 5 in English

French NCLC 9 in all four; English CLB 5 in all four

First official language: 4 × 31
124
Second official language: 4 × 1
4
Additional points for French (NCLC 7+ in all four, CLB 5+ in English)
50
Language-related points
178

An English result at CLB 5 or higher in all four abilities doubles the French points, from 25 to 50.

One ability at NCLC 6

Listening 9, reading 9, writing 6, speaking 9, no English test

First official language: 31 + 31 + 9 + 31
102
Additional points for French
0
Language-related points
102

Writing at NCLC 6 removes the French points, the French-language draws and eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, which needs NCLC 7 in all four abilities.

NCLC and CLB conversion tablesNCLC score converter

Questions people ask

How many CRS points is NCLC 7 in French worth?

As your first official language, NCLC 7 earns 17 points per ability without a spouse or partner (16 with one), so 68 for all four abilities. NCLC 7 in all four French abilities also adds 25 or 50 additional points, depending on your English result.

Do I get the French points without an English test?

Yes. NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities with no English test, or CLB 4 or lower in English, gives 25 additional points. With CLB 5 or higher in all four English abilities, it is 50.

What CRS score did the last French-language draw need?

When we checked, IRCC’s most recent French-language proficiency round was on August 19, 2026: 5,000 invitations, with a lowest CRS score of 382. Cut-offs change from round to round.

Does one weak ability matter?

Yes. The French points and the French-language draws both need NCLC 7 in all four abilities, so a single ability at NCLC 6 is enough to miss them.

Which French tests does IRCC accept?

TCF Canada and TEF Canada. For TEF Canada, IRCC uses the “Équivalence ancien score” printed on the certificate.

Practise with NCLC Ready

One app for each test, with the real format and timing, AI feedback on writing and speaking, and an estimated NCLC level for each skill. Scores in the apps are estimates, never official results.

Official sources

Checked against official sources on .

  • TCF Canada format and scoring

    The four sections and their timing, the writing and speaking tasks, how scores convert to NCLC, booking, results and a study plan.

    Checked

  • TEF Canada format and scoring

    The four tests and their timing, the two scores on your certificate and which one IRCC uses, NCLC ranges and a study plan.

    Checked

  • NCLC and CLB conversion tables

    IRCC’s charts for both tests, the scores that reach NCLC 7, 8 and 9, and how NCLC and CLB relate.

    Checked

  • TCF Canada or TEF Canada?

    The two tests side by side: format, speaking tasks, scoring, results, retakes, and how to decide which to book.

    Checked