NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills gives you two things: +25 CRS points (or +50 if your English is also CLB 5+ in all four skills), and eligibility for French-language proficiency category draws. IRCC's rounds page shows those draws closing from 382 to 435 CRS from February to October 2026, on the old grid, well below Canadian Experience Class rounds.
Key takeaways
- NCLC 7 in all four French skills is the one line that unlocks both rewards.
- +25 CRS with weak or no English; +50 CRS with English CLB 5+ in all four.
- French category draws only invite people with NCLC 7+ in all four skills.
- 2026 cut-offs ran from 382 to 435 through October, on the old grid. They move.
- Your test result must be valid at profile creation and at PR application.
On this page
Reaching NCLC 7 in all four French skills gives you two separate rewards in Express Entry. First, +25 or +50 CRS points added to your score. Second, eligibility for French-language category draws, which closed from 382 to 435 from February to October 2026, on the old grid.
Many people think of French only as "bonus points". The category draws are often the bigger prize. Here is how both work, in plain terms.
- +25
- CRS with English CLB 4 or lower, or no English test
- +50
- CRS with English CLB 5+ in all four skills
- 382–435
- 2026 French draw cut-offs through October, old grid (IRCC)
What counts as NCLC 7?
#NCLC is the French version of the CLB scale. You reach NCLC 7 when each of your four skills (listening, reading, writing, speaking) is at or above IRCC's minimum. There is no averaging.
| Exam | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCF Canada | 458 | 453 | 10 | 10 |
| TEF Canada (ancien score) | 249 | 207 | 310 | 310 |
Only TEF Canada and TCF Canada count. TEF Québec, TCF Québec and TCF Tout Public are not accepted for Express Entry. For the full breakdown, see what score you need for CLB 7.
How do the +25 and +50 points work?
#The French bonus depends on your English result, not only your French. The rule is simple:
- +25 CRS: NCLC 7+ in all four French skills, and English CLB 4 or lower (or no English test at all).
- +50 CRS: NCLC 7+ in all four French skills, and English CLB 5 or higher in all four skills.
The bonus sits on top of the regular language points. If English is your first language, NCLC 7 in French also adds 3 second-language points per skill. See how many CRS points French is worth, or add it all up in the CRS language points calculator. For your whole score, try the French draw CRS calculator.
What are French-language category draws?
#IRCC runs some Express Entry rounds for specific groups instead of the whole pool. One of these groups is French-language proficiency. Only candidates with NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills can be invited in these rounds.
Because the group is smaller, the cut-off is usually lower than in general draws. IRCC's rounds page shows 2026 French draw cut-offs from 382 to 435 CRS through October, all on the old grid. Treat that as a rough picture, not a promise. IRCC sets each draw on its own and does not publish a fixed range.
- No French bonus points
- Only general and other category draws
- You compete with the whole pool
- +25 or +50 CRS added
- Also eligible for French category draws
- 2026 cut-offs from 382 to 435 through October (old grid)
Not sure where you stand? The French draw eligibility checker asks four quick questions and tells you.
New to all this? The 8-step roadmap to Canada PR through French shows where the draws fit, from your first lesson to your ITA.
Who gets the most out of French?
#French helps almost every profile, but it changes the picture most for a few groups.
- People whose CRS is below general draw levels. A score in the 382–435 range may not be competitive in general rounds, but French draws open a second door.
- People with good English and some French. CLB 5+ in English plus NCLC 7 in French is the +50 combination, the largest French bonus available.
- People close to NCLC 7 already. If you are at NCLC 6 in one skill, a focused retest can unlock both rewards at once.
If your CRS is already high, French still adds points and gives you a second type of draw to be invited in. Many candidates treat it as insurance: one more way into the pool's shortlist.
Below NCLC 7 but at NCLC 5 or above? With a job offer in one of six communities, the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot may still be open to you.
What stops people from getting the benefit?
#- 1One skill just below the lineA TCF writing score of 9 instead of 10 means no bonus and no French draws, however high the rest is.
- 2Entering the wrong TEF numberIRCC uses the "Équivalence ancien score", not the /699 score. Our TEF ancien score guide shows the right column.
- 3Booking the wrong examTEF Québec, TCF Québec and TCF Tout Public do not count for Express Entry, even if you score well.
- 4Letting the result expireResults are valid 2 years from the test date. They must be valid when you create your profile and when you submit your PR application. See how long results are valid.
What should you do next?
#- 1Check your current levelUse practice-test scores in the CLB calculator and find your weakest skill.
- 2Pick an examTEF and TCF give the same points. If you are unsure, the TEF or TCF quiz takes a minute.
- 3Plan your studyIf you are at NCLC 5 or 6, our 12-week study plan focuses on the skill holding you back.
- 4Secure a seat earlyIn many cities seats go fast. Check upcoming exam dates, browse centres near you and set alerts before you need them.
- Myth
French draws have a fixed, published cut-off.
FactIRCC sets each draw on its own. 382 to 435 is what its rounds page shows for 2026 through October, on the old grid, and it can move.
- Myth
NCLC 7 in three skills is close enough for French draws.
FactNo. You need NCLC 7 or higher in all four skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
- Myth
Without an English test, French gets you nothing.
FactNCLC 7 in all four French skills still gives +25 CRS and French draw eligibility, with no English test at all.
Running out of time on a PGWP? Read PGWP expiring: the French route to PR, with the timeline math and the backup routes.
Check yourself
#Check yourself
1 of 4.What do you need to be eligible for French-language category draws?
2 of 4.French NCLC 7 in all four skills, English CLB 4. What is the French bonus?
3 of 4.Which of these tests counts for French draws?
4 of 4.When must your French result be valid?
Questions people ask
NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills adds +25 CRS if your English is CLB 4 or lower or untested, and +50 CRS if your English is CLB 5 or higher in all four skills. With a spouse, only the principal applicant’s French counts for the bonus (see spouse French and CRS points).
IRCC sets each draw separately. Its rounds page shows 2026 French-language draws closing from 382 to 435 CRS through October, on the old grid. This can change.
No. Without an English test you can still get +25 CRS for NCLC 7 in French. An English result of CLB 5+ in all four skills raises it to +50.
No. You need NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. With a job offer outside Quebec, Francophone Mobility is a separate work-permit route that asks for NCLC 5 in speaking and listening.
Neither. Both convert to the same NCLC scale, so NCLC 7 on one gives exactly the same points and draw eligibility as NCLC 7 on the other.
Terms in this guide
- English tests accepted by IRCC
- Category-based draw
- CRS French bonus
- French-language proficiency draw
- Ancien score
- CLB
- TCF Tout Public
- TCF Québec
Each one is defined in plain English in the TEF & TCF Canada glossary.
Sources
- IRCC: Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) criteria
- IRCC: Francophone immigration through Express Entry
- IRCC: Language test equivalency charts
Rules and fees change. Always confirm with IRCC and your test centre before you pay.
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