French for Express Entry: How Many CRS Points You Can Earn in 2026

By Chahrazad Chaabane, TEF/TCF Canada Instructor, Winny French

Short answer: In 2026, learning French is one of the most powerful ways to boost your Express Entry profile. With NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills, you can earn up to 50 additional CRS points through the bilingual bonus, plus up to roughly 24 core "second official language" points, and you become eligible for French category-based draws, which in 2026 have had cutoffs far below general draws. For many applicants, French is the single biggest lever on their CRS score.

Immigration rules and draw cutoffs change. The figures below reflect the IRCC framework as of 2026, always confirm current numbers on Canada.ca before making decisions.

The two ways French earns you CRS points

French proficiency adds to your score through two separate mechanisms, and they stack. First, Second Official Language points: if English is your first official language and French your second, French at NCLC 7+ adds core CRS points, up to roughly 24 depending on your profile. Second, the bilingual bonus, the big one, awarded on top: French NCLC 7+ in all four skills plus English CLB 5+ in all four skills earns up to 50 additional CRS points, while French NCLC 7+ with weaker English earns a smaller bonus, commonly 25 points. The threshold that unlocks the bonus is NCLC 7 across listening, reading, writing, and speaking, one skill below 7 and you lose it. Combined, strong French can be worth 70 or more CRS points for a well-positioned bilingual candidate.

The bigger advantage: French category-based draws

Beyond points, IRCC runs category-based Express Entry draws specifically for French-speaking candidates, and these have consistently had much lower CRS cutoffs than general draws. In 2026, French-category cutoffs have ranged roughly from the high-370s to the low-420s, and one early-2026 French draw issued thousands of invitations at a cutoff around 400, among the largest French draws to date. Eligibility generally requires NCLC 7+ in all four French skills, proven with a TEF Canada or TCF Canada result. French isn't just adding points, it's opening a separate, less crowded door.

What NCLC 7 actually requires

NCLC, the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens, is the French equivalent of the CLB scale, and the two are aligned. NCLC 7 corresponds roughly to a B2 level. At NCLC 7 you can follow complex conversations on familiar topics, write organized paragraphs with mostly accurate grammar, read non-specialist texts, and express ideas clearly even with some errors. You prove your level with TEF Canada or TCF Canada, both accepted by IRCC, both testing all four skills, both taken in person at an authorized test centre.

How long it takes to reach NCLC 7

• Starting at B1 (NCLC 5–6): three to six months of focused preparation.

• Starting at A2 (beginner-plus): nine to eighteen months, foundation first.

• Already at B2 (NCLC 7–8): one to three months of exam familiarization.

The applicants who reach NCLC 7 fastest develop real language ability rather than just test tricks, get feedback on speaking and writing where most points are lost, and practice under timed exam conditions before test day.

A realistic plan

Take a diagnostic to find where your French sits across all four skills. Target the weakest skill, most applicants have one component dragging them below NCLC 7. Book the exam early, since centres fill up; reserve six to eight weeks out. Get weekly speaking and writing feedback, the highest-leverage preparation there is. And run timed mock exams before test day so the format holds no surprises.

Frequently asked

How many CRS points is French worth? Up to roughly 24 core second-official-language points plus up to 50 bilingual bonus points, on the order of 70+ for a strong bilingual candidate, provided you hit NCLC 7 in all four French skills, and CLB 5+ English for the full 50.

Do I need French and English? The full 50-point bonus requires NCLC 7+ French and CLB 5+ English. French NCLC 7+ with weaker English still earns a partial bonus and qualifies you for French category-based draws.

TEF Canada or TCF Canada, which? Both are accepted by IRCC. Choose based on availability and format.

Chahrazad Chaabane is a TEF/TCF Canada preparation specialist at Winny French, helping applicants across Canada reach NCLC/CLB 7–9 for Express Entry. Winny French offers $25/hour online prep, one-on-one or small groups, with a free 30-minute trial. Always verify current CRS rules and draw cutoffs on Canada.ca.