Your spouse's French counts, but only as spouse points: up to 5 per skill, capped at 20, and NCLC 7 or 8 is worth 3 per skill (12 in total). The +25/+50 French bonus and French category draws look only at the principal applicant. If your spouse has the stronger French and is eligible for an Express Entry program, making them the principal applicant can be worth far more.
Key takeaways
- Spouse language points: 1 per skill at CLB/NCLC 5–6, 3 at 7–8, 5 at 9+. Max 20.
- Only the spouse's first official language counts; their second language earns nothing.
- The French bonus and French draw eligibility use the principal applicant's results only.
- Swapping roles can add the bonus and draw access, if the spouse qualifies for a program.
- Compare full CRS both ways; age, education and work change with the principal.
On this page
Your spouse's French does earn CRS points, but far fewer than most people expect. As spouse language points it is worth up to 5 per skill, capped at 20. NCLC 7 or 8 gives 3 per skill, 12 in total. The +25/+50 French bonus and French category draws only look at the principal applicant.
How many points is a spouse's language worth?
#| Spouse's level per skill | Points per skill | Four skills |
|---|---|---|
| CLB/NCLC 4 or less | 0 | 0 |
| CLB/NCLC 5 or 6 | 1 | 4 |
| CLB/NCLC 7 or 8 | 3 | 12 |
| CLB/NCLC 9 or more | 5 | 20 |
What does French earn for the principal applicant instead?
#For the principal applicant, the same NCLC 7 in French can earn core language points, second-language points and the bonus. With a spouse, the principal's figures are slightly lower than for a single applicant:
- First official language: 16 per skill at NCLC 7, 22 at 8, 29 at 9, 32 at 10+.
- Second official language: 3 per skill at NCLC 7–8, capped at 22 with a spouse.
- French bonus: +25 (English CLB 4 or less / no test) or +50 (English CLB 5+ in all four). Same with or without a spouse.
Best next step: raise French writing from NCLC 6 to 7 → +58 points (unlocks the French bonus).
- NCLC 7 in every French skill → +58 points (includes the +50 French bonus, and opens French-language draws)
Uses IRCC’s CRS criteria. Language only: skill-transferability points (language combined with education or foreign work, up to 100) and your spouse’s language (up to 20) are separate. For your full score, use IRCC’s official CRS tool. Have raw TEF or TCF scores? Use the full calculator.
Who should be the principal applicant? A worked example
#Partner A has English CLB 9 in all four and no French. Partner B has French NCLC 7 in all four and English CLB 6 in all four. Language points only:
- A's English, first language: 29 × 4 = 116
- A's French: none, so no bonus
- B's spouse language points (French NCLC 7): 3 × 4 = 12
- Total: 128. Not eligible for French draws.
- B's French, first language: 16 × 4 = 64
- B's English CLB 6, second language: 1 × 4 = 4
- French bonus (English CLB 5+): +50
- A's spouse language points (English CLB 9): 5 × 4 = 20
- Total: 138, and eligible for French draws.
- A's English: 116
- A's French NCLC 7, second language: 12
- French bonus: +50
- B's spouse points (French NCLC 7): 12
- Total: 190, and eligible for French draws.
- Myth
My spouse's NCLC 7 in French gets us the +50 bonus.
FactNo. The bonus is based only on the principal applicant's French. The spouse's NCLC 7 is worth 12 spouse points.
- Myth
My spouse's French makes us eligible for French draws.
FactNo. French category eligibility needs the principal applicant to have NCLC 7 in all four French skills.
- Myth
A spouse with English and French gets points for both.
FactNo. Spouse points only count the spouse's first official language, up to 20.
Check yourself
1 of 3.Your spouse has NCLC 7 in all four French skills. How many spouse language points?
2 of 3.Whose French decides the +25/+50 bonus?
3 of 3.What is the maximum spouse language score?
Questions people ask
Yes, as spouse language points: up to 5 per skill and 20 in total. NCLC 7 or 8 in all four skills gives 12.
No. The +25/+50 French bonus uses only the principal applicant's results. If your spouse has the stronger French, consider making them the principal applicant.
Yes, if the other partner is eligible for an Express Entry program. Many couples compare full CRS both ways; some create a profile for each partner.
No, spouse tests are optional. They only add spouse points, up to 20, if the results are good enough.
No. For a spouse, only the first official language earns points. Second-language points only exist for the principal applicant.
Terms in this guide
Each one is defined in plain English in the TEF & TCF Canada glossary.
Sources
Rules and fees change. Always confirm with IRCC and your test centre before you pay.
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