How many CRS points do you get for French?
Updated for 2026 · sourced from IRCC's CRS criteria.
The French-language bonus: +25 or +50 points
The trigger is the same for both: NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills. Whether you get 25 or 50 depends only on your English level.
| Bonus | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| +50 | NCLC 7+ in all four skills | CLB 5+ in all four English skills |
| +25 | NCLC 7+ in all four skills | CLB 4 or lower, or no English test |
| 0 | Below NCLC 7 in any skill | - |
French in the core CRS grid
Separate from the bonus, French earns points in the main grid. If French is your second official language (you're stronger in English), it adds up to 24 points:
| French CLB / NCLC | Points (per skill) |
|---|---|
| 9+ | 6 / skill |
| 7-8 | 3 / skill |
| 5-6 | 1 / skill |
If French is your first (stronger) official language, it counts in the core human-capital grid for up to 136 points. Either way, the 50-point bonus stacks on top.
French-category draws run far lower
Beyond points, NCLC 7 in all four skills makes you eligible for French-language category draws, which invite candidates at much lower CRS scores than general draws. Recent 2026 rounds (IRCC category-based selection):
| Draw date | CRS cut-off | Invitations |
|---|---|---|
| 28 May 2026 | 409 | 4,500 |
| 29 Apr 2026 | 400 | 4,000 |
| 15 Apr 2026 | 419 | 4,000 |
| 18 Mar 2026 | 393 | 4,000 |
| 4 Mar 2026 | 397 | 5,500 |
| 6 Feb 2026 | 400 | 8,500 |
French cut-offs (high-390s to low-420s) have run roughly 100-120 points below general draws (~515-550). Cut-offs change every round - treat these as a dated snapshot.
What score gets you to NCLC 7?
Everything above hinges on one number: NCLC 7 in all four skills. That's:
- TCF Canada: Listening 458, Reading 453, Speaking 10, Writing 10 - see the full TCF → CLB table.
- TEF Canada: (old/IRCC scale) Reading 207, Listening 249, Writing 310, Speaking 310 - see the full TEF → CLB table.
Not sure which test to take? Compare them in TCF vs TEF Canada.
Frequently asked questions
How many CRS points do you get for French?
If French is your second language, French at NCLC 7+ in all four skills can add up to about 74 CRS points: up to 24 in the language grid plus a 50-point bonus. French also unlocks French-category Express Entry draws, which run roughly 100+ points below general draws.
What are the conditions for the 50-point French bonus?
You need NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills, plus English at CLB 5 or higher in all four English skills. With English at CLB 4 or lower (or no English test), the bonus is 25 points instead of 50.
What TCF or TEF score do I need for the French CRS bonus?
You need NCLC 7 in all four skills. On the TCF that is Listening 458, Reading 453, Speaking 10, Writing 10. On the TEF (old/IRCC scale) it is Reading 207, Listening 249, Writing 310, Speaking 310.
Does one weak skill cost me the French bonus?
Yes. The bonus requires NCLC 7 in every French skill. A single skill at NCLC 6 drops the bonus to zero and fails French-category eligibility, even if your other skills are higher.
Is the French CRS bonus being removed?
As of June 2026 the bonus is still in effect. IRCC proposed removing or modifying it in an April 2026 Express Entry reform, and a public consultation closed in May 2026, but it is not yet law and no implementation date is set. Confirm the current rules before relying on it.
How much lower are French-category draws?
In 2026, French-category draw cut-offs have run in the high-390s to low-420s, versus roughly 515-550 for general draws - about 100 to 120 CRS points lower.
By French TCF editorial team · Data source: IRCC (Government of Canada) · Last verified 19 June 2026
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