Put French first only if your French NCLC levels are higher than your English CLB levels. First-language points are much larger (17 per skill at level 7, 31 at level 9 for a single applicant), and skill transferability uses your first language too. The +25 or +50 French bonus doesn't change with the order. With French NCLC 9 and English CLB 7, French first gives about 81 more language-related points.
Key takeaways
- IRCC: choose your strongest language as first official language.
- First language: up to 34 points per skill. Second: up to 6, capped at 24 (22 with spouse).
- Skill transferability only looks at your first official language.
- The French bonus (+25/+50) is identical whether French is first or second.
- At equal levels, the order makes no difference to your score.
On this page
If you have both a French result (TEF Canada or TCF Canada) and an English result, your Express Entry profile counts one as your first official language and the other as your second. IRCC's advice is one line: "Choose your strongest language as your first official language so you can increase your chances of earning more points." This guide shows what "strongest" means in points, with side-by-side tables.
For the full list of point values, see CRS points for French. Here we only compare the two orders.
- 34
- Max points per skill, first language (single)
- 6
- Max points per skill, second language
- 100
- Skill transferability cap, based on first language
What changes when you swap the order?
#| CRS part | Uses first language? | Uses second language? |
|---|---|---|
| Core language points (up to 136 single, 128 with spouse) | Yes | No |
| Second-language points (up to 24 single, 22 with spouse) | No | Yes |
| Skill transferability: language + education, language + foreign work | Yes | No |
| Additional French points (+25 / +50) | French scores, either position | French scores, either position |
| Federal Skilled Worker minimum (CLB 7 in all four) | Yes | No |
Three things follow. First-language points are the big table. Transferability points only start at level 7 in all four first-language skills and double at level 9. And for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, IRCC says a first official language below CLB 7 makes you ineligible. Putting a weaker language first can cost you eligibility, not just points.
How big is the gap per level?
#| Level | As first language | As second language | Difference × 4 skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCLC/CLB 5 | 6 (6) | 1 | 20 |
| NCLC/CLB 6 | 9 (8) | 1 | 32 |
| NCLC/CLB 7 | 17 (16) | 3 | 56 |
| NCLC/CLB 8 | 23 (22) | 3 | 80 |
| NCLC/CLB 9 | 31 (29) | 6 | 100 |
| NCLC/CLB 10+ | 34 (32) | 6 | 112 |
So the language with the higher level should sit in the column worth more. Check your levels per skill in the TEF Canada score chart or TCF Canada score chart. If your French is NCLC 9 and your English CLB 7, French first wins clearly. If both are the same level, the order changes nothing.
Side by side: real-looking profiles
#Single applicant, one bachelor's degree, 3+ years of foreign work, no Canadian experience. Language-related CRS points only: core, second language, French bonus, and the two transferability combinations that depend on language. Same levels in all four skills for simplicity.
| Levels | Order | First lang. | Second lang. | Bonus | Transferability | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| French 9, English 7 | French first | 124 | 12 | +50 | 75 | 261 |
| French 9, English 7 | English first | 68 | 24 | +50 | 38 | 180 |
| French 8, English 6 | French first | 92 | 4 | +50 | 38 | 184 |
| French 8, English 6 | English first | 36 | 12 | +50 | 0 | 98 |
| French 7, English 9 | English first | 124 | 12 | +50 | 75 | 261 |
| French 7, English 9 | French first | 68 | 24 | +50 | 38 | 180 |
| French 8, English 8 | Either | 92 | 12 | +50 | 38 | 192 |
This is one decision in a longer process. The French PR roadmap puts every step in order.
Try your own levels
#Set your French and English levels and pick which one is first. The calculator adds core, second-language and bonus points, and tells you if swapping the order would score more:
What if your levels are mixed across skills?
#Real results are rarely flat. Say your French is 9, 8, 8, 7 and your English is 8, 8, 7, 7. Add up first-language points both ways, skill by skill, then add second-language points for the other test:
| Order | First-language points | Second-language points | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| French first (9, 8, 8, 7) | 31 + 23 + 23 + 17 = 94 | 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12 | 106 |
| English first (8, 8, 7, 7) | 23 + 23 + 17 + 17 = 80 | 6 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 15 | 95 |
Transferability uses the lowest first-language skill: at least 7 in all four for the lower tier, 9 in all four for the top tier. Both orders above sit in the lower tier. Run your own numbers in the CRS language points calculator. For age, education and work too, use the full CRS calculator.
Special cases
#French has to be your first language. At NCLC 7 in all four you get 68 core points plus +25. An English test at CLB 5 in all four adds 4 second-language points and lifts the bonus to +50, so +29 for a modest English result.
The same logic applies with slightly smaller numbers: 16 per skill at level 7, 29 at level 9, and a 22-point cap on the second language. Your spouse's own points use their first official language only. See spouse French CRS points.
The order doesn't rescue the bonus. +25/+50 needs NCLC 7 in every French skill, first or second. Fix the weak skill first: NCLC 5 to 7 study plan.
Entering the results themselves, with dates and certificate numbers, is covered in how to enter TEF or TCF results in your profile. If you're deciding whether to push French higher first, read is NCLC 9 or 10 worth it.
- Myth
French must be second because English is more common.
FactNo. IRCC has no preference. It advises putting your strongest language first, whichever it is.
- Myth
French first gives a bigger French bonus.
FactThe +25/+50 bonus depends only on NCLC 7 in all four French skills and your English level, not on the order.
- Myth
Transferability counts my best language anywhere.
FactIRCC's transferability tables use your first official language. A strong second language doesn't add transferability points.
Check yourself
1 of 3.French NCLC 9 in all four, English CLB 7 in all four. Which order?
2 of 3.Does putting French first change the +50 bonus?
3 of 3.Both languages are at level 8 in every skill. What does swapping the order do?
Questions people ask
Yes. IRCC treats English and French the same and advises choosing your strongest language as your first official language.
It depends on the gap between your levels. Per skill, a single applicant gets 31 points at NCLC 9 as first language and 6 as second. In our example (French 9, English 7), French first is worth 81 more language-related points.
No. NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills earns +25 or +50 whether French is first or second.
Your first official language. The education and foreign work combinations start at level 7 in all four first-language skills and double at level 9.
Put French first. You'll get more core points, transferability points and meet the Federal Skilled Worker CLB 7 minimum through French.
Terms in this guide
Each one is defined in plain English in the TEF & TCF Canada glossary.
Sources
- IRCC: Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) criteria
- IRCC: Express Entry for French-speaking skilled workers
- IRCC: Federal Skilled Worker Program eligibility
Rules and fees change. Always confirm with IRCC and your test centre before you pay.
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