French earns CRS points in up to three ways. As your first official language it is worth up to 34 points per skill (136 total, or 128 with a spouse); as your second official language, up to 6 per skill, capped at 24 (22 with a spouse). On top of that, NCLC 7+ in all four French skills adds +25 CRS, or +50 if your English is also CLB 5+ in all four.
Key takeaways
- First official language: 17 points per skill at NCLC 7 (16 with a spouse), up to 34 (32).
- Second official language: 3 points per skill at NCLC 7 or 8, capped at 24 (22 with a spouse).
- Additional French bonus: +25 with weak or no English, +50 with English CLB 5+ in all four.
- For an English-first candidate, NCLC 7 in French adds 62 CRS in total (single applicant).
- NCLC 7 in all four also opens French-language category draws.
On this page
French can earn you CRS points in three separate places. As your first official language: up to 34 points per skill (136 total) if you are single. As your second official language: up to 6 per skill, capped at 24. And a separate bonus of +25 or +50 once you reach NCLC 7 in all four French skills.
Most people only hear about the +50. But for an English speaker, the bonus and the second-language points stack. Every number below comes from IRCC's official CRS criteria page, linked at the bottom.
- 136
- Max first-language points (single)
- 24
- Max second-language points (single)
- +50
- Max additional French bonus
How many points is your first official language worth?
#In Express Entry, one language counts as your first official language and the other as your second. First-language points are much bigger, so most people list their stronger language first. Points are given per skill: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
| Level per skill | With spouse | Without spouse |
|---|---|---|
| Below CLB/NCLC 4 | 0 | 0 |
| CLB/NCLC 4 or 5 | 6 | 6 |
| CLB/NCLC 6 | 8 | 9 |
| CLB/NCLC 7 | 16 | 17 |
| CLB/NCLC 8 | 22 | 23 |
| CLB/NCLC 9 | 29 | 31 |
| CLB/NCLC 10 or more | 32 | 34 |
How many points is a second official language worth?
#If English is your first language, French counts here. The steps are smaller and there is a cap.
| Level per skill | Points |
|---|---|
| CLB/NCLC 4 or less | 0 |
| CLB/NCLC 5 or 6 | 1 |
| CLB/NCLC 7 or 8 | 3 |
| CLB/NCLC 9 or more | 6 |
Four skills at 6 points would be 24. That is the maximum for a single applicant. With a spouse, the total is capped at 22, so even NCLC 9 in everything stops at 22.
How does the +25 / +50 French bonus work?
#The French bonus sits in the "additional points" section of CRS, on top of everything above. IRCC's wording is short:
- +25: NCLC 7 or higher on all four French skills, and CLB 4 or lower in English (or no English test).
- +50: NCLC 7 or higher on all four French skills, and CLB 5 or higher on all four English skills.
It does not matter whether French is your first or second language. What matters is NCLC 7 in every skill. One skill at NCLC 6 and the bonus is zero. The exact test scores for NCLC 7 are in our CLB 7 score guide, and the French bonus calculator tells you whether you'd get 25 or 50.
What is your French worth? Try it
#Set your French and English levels. The calculator adds up first-language, second-language and bonus points the way IRCC does.
Want the full version with spouse options? Open the CRS language points calculator.
Which situation are you in?
#Your TEF Canada or TCF Canada scores use the big first-language table. At NCLC 7 in all four, a single applicant gets 17 × 4 = 68 points.
- No English test: 68 + 25 bonus = 93.
- English CLB 5 in all four: 68 + 4 (second language) + 50 bonus = 122.
Your English uses the big table. French adds second-language points plus the bonus. With English CLB 5+ in all four, NCLC 7 in French gives:
- Second-language points: 3 × 4 = 12.
- French bonus: +50.
- Total from French: 62 CRS for a single applicant.
At NCLC 6 in all four, French gives only 4 points (1 × 4) and no bonus. So getting every skill from NCLC 6 to 7 is worth 58 extra points.
The principal applicant's first-language points drop slightly: 16 per skill at NCLC 7 instead of 17, up to 32 instead of 34. The second-language total is capped at 22 instead of 24.
The French bonus is the same: +25 or +50, based on the principal applicant's results.
Your spouse's own first official language can add up to 5 points per skill (max 20): 1 at CLB 5 or 6, 3 at CLB 7 or 8, 5 at CLB 9 or more. See how a spouse’s French counts and when it pays to swap roles.
Worked examples: what French adds
#Language points only, from the IRCC tables above. Your full CRS also includes age, education, work and more. Since November 3, 2026, Canadian work and high-wage job offers sit in a new Labour Market Integration factor; the French points did not change. See your full score in the CRS calculator for French draws.
| Profile | First language | Second language | French bonus | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single, English CLB 9, no French | 124 (31 × 4) | 0 | 0 | 124 |
| Single, English CLB 9, French NCLC 6 | 124 | 4 (1 × 4) | 0 | 128 |
| Single, English CLB 9, French NCLC 7 | 124 | 12 (3 × 4) | +50 | 186 |
| With spouse, English CLB 9, French NCLC 7 | 116 (29 × 4) | 12 | +50 | 178 |
| Single, French NCLC 7, no English test | 68 (17 × 4) | 0 | +25 | 93 |
| Single, French NCLC 7, English CLB 5 | 68 | 4 (1 × 4) | +50 | 122 |
Language also feeds skill transferability points. IRCC gives up to 50 for strong language combined with post-secondary education, and up to 50 for strong language combined with foreign work experience, within a 100-point limit for that section. The first thresholds start at CLB 7 in all four first-language abilities.
Is it worth the money? We priced the whole journey, from classes to the exam, in the cost of French for Canadian PR.
The gains don't stop at 7. See what NCLC 9 and 10 in French add to your CRS score, including skill transferability.
Are points the only thing French gets you?
#No. NCLC 7 in all four French skills also makes you eligible for French-language proficiency category draws. IRCC's rounds page shows 2026 French draw cut-offs from 382 to 435 CRS through October, on the old grid. They move with each round.
Read what NCLC 7 gets you in French draws, or check yourself with the draw eligibility checker.
- Myth
French is only worth the +50 bonus.
FactThe bonus is only one part. An English-first applicant also gets second-language points (12 at NCLC 7), and a French-first applicant gets up to 136 first-language points.
- Myth
NCLC 7 in three skills gets you most of the bonus.
FactNo. The bonus needs NCLC 7 or higher on all four French skills. Three out of four earns zero bonus.
- Myth
You need an English test to get French bonus points.
FactNo. With no English test, NCLC 7 in all four French skills still earns +25.
- Myth
TEF Canada gives more points than TCF Canada.
FactBoth convert to the same NCLC scale (the TEF Canada score chart shows the TEF side). NCLC 7 on one is worth exactly the same as NCLC 7 on the other. See TEF vs TCF Canada.
For the whole journey in one place, from zero French to an invitation, follow the French for Canada PR roadmap.
Check yourself
#Check yourself
1 of 4.A single applicant has NCLC 7 in all four French skills and no English test. What is the French bonus?
2 of 4.English is your first language. How many second-language points is NCLC 7 in all four French skills?
3 of 4.With a spouse, what is the maximum for second official language points?
4 of 4.Your French is NCLC 8, 8, 7, 6. Do you get the French bonus?
Questions people ask
As a second language, up to 24 points (22 with a spouse), plus a +25 or +50 bonus at NCLC 7 in all four skills. As a first language, up to 136 points (128 with a spouse), plus the same bonus.
For a single applicant with English CLB 5+ in all four skills, NCLC 7 in all four French skills adds 12 second-language points and a +50 bonus: 62 points in total.
It is +50 if your English is CLB 5 or higher in all four skills, and +25 if your English is CLB 4 or lower or you have no English test. Both need NCLC 7+ in all four French skills.
Slightly. First-language points per skill are a little lower and the second-language cap drops from 24 to 22. The +25 or +50 French bonus does not change.
Terms in this guide
- English tests accepted by IRCC
- CRS French bonus
- Category-based draw
- French-language proficiency draw
- CLB
- CRS
- NCLC 7
- NCLC
Each one is defined in plain English in the TEF & TCF Canada glossary.
Sources
- IRCC: 2026 consultation on Express Entry and CRS changes
- IRCC: Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) criteria
- IRCC: Francophone immigration through Express Entry
- IRCC: Language testing for Express Entry
Rules and fees change. Always confirm with IRCC and your test centre before you pay.
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