What this category means
This category supports Francophone immigration outside Québec. It is based on verified French ability, not occupation.
Category eligibility comes after Express Entry eligibility
You must first qualify for the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program or Federal Skilled Trades Program and have a valid Express Entry profile. A category does not replace those program rules.
Who may qualify
- Be eligible for at least one of the three federal programs managed by Express Entry.
- Have a valid profile in the Express Entry pool when IRCC holds the round.
- Meet every requirement in the ministerial instructions for that specific round.
- Approved TEF Canada or TCF Canada results showing at least NCLC 7 separately in speaking, listening, reading and writing.
- The results must be less than 2 years old for category membership and must remain valid when the permanent-residence application is submitted.
- Meet every additional requirement in the ministerial instructions for the specific round.
Accepted French tests and NCLC 7 scores
IRCC accepts TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French. The category threshold applies separately to speaking, listening, reading and writing; an average score is not used.
| Approved test | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEF Canada — NCLC 7 band | 310–348 | 249–279 | 207–232 | 310–348 |
| TCF Canada — NCLC 7 band | 10–11 | 458–502 | 453–498 | 10–11 |
Higher NCLC bands also qualify. For TEF Canada, IRCC currently instructs Express Entry applicants to enter the numbers from the “Équivalence ancien score” column—not the separate “Score / 699” values. Always compare the actual statement of results with the live IRCC conversion table before updating a profile.
Result validity matters at two different stages
The results must be less than two years old when the Express Entry profile is completed and when the permanent-residence application is submitted. The 2026 category instructions also require results that are less than two years old for category membership. An application filed with expired results may be refused.
French-language CRS points
The French category and CRS points are connected but legally separate. NCLC 7 in all four French abilities can make a candidate eligible for a French-category round and can also produce additional CRS points.
+25 CRS points
French at NCLC 7+ in all four abilities, with English at CLB 4 or lower—or no English test
+50 CRS points
French at NCLC 7+ in all four abilities, with English at CLB 5+ in all four abilities
These are additional French-language CRS points—not 600 nomination points. Meeting NCLC 7 does not create a guaranteed invitation: candidates eligible for the category are still ranked by CRS in the particular round.
Latest 2026 French-category round
The most recent French-language proficiency round documented in the material provided was round #433 on August 6, 2026.
Round date
August 6, 2026
Invitations
5,000
Lowest CRS
391
Tie-breaking rule
March 18, 2026 · 23:32:40 UTC
French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2
FSWP, CEC and FSTP candidates could be invited
A past cut-off is historical information, not a prediction. IRCC decides the category, invitation total, cut-off and tie-break rule separately for each round.
Open official round #433How category-based selection works
- 01
Qualify for Express Entry
Meet the minimum rules of CEC, FSWP or FSTP and create an accurate profile.
- 02
IRCC identifies eligible profiles
IRCC checks the profile information against the requirements of the announced category.
- 03
Candidates are ranked by CRS
Eligible category candidates are still ranked against one another using their CRS scores.
- 04
Highest-ranking candidates may be invited
The number invited, cut-off, tie-breaker and exact category rules are set for the individual round.
- 05
Submit the permanent-residence application
An invited candidate must prove both program and category eligibility with documents and remain admissible to Canada.
Documents to prepare
- Valid TEF Canada or TCF Canada result
- Express Entry profile and CRS information
- Identity, education and work documents required by the underlying federal program
- Documents required by the personalized PR checklist after an invitation
Important limits
- Meeting a category requirement does not add separate CRS points and does not guarantee that IRCC will hold a round for that category.
- The category occupation list, work-experience period and round instructions can change. The live IRCC page and the instructions for the exact round control.
- An invitation does not remove the need to prove the underlying Express Entry program, the CRS score claimed, category eligibility and admissibility.
- A job title alone is not enough for an occupation category. The evidence must support the correct NOC lead statement and main duties.
Frequently asked questions
Does NCLC 7 guarantee an invitation?
No. NCLC 7 in every French ability is the category threshold. Eligible candidates are still ranked against one another by CRS, and IRCC determines how many invitations to issue.
Can French be my second official language?
Yes. The category instructions focus on approved French results at NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities. French may also generate 25 or 50 additional CRS points, depending on the English results.
Do I need an English test?
Not for the French category itself. However, the candidate must still qualify for CEC, FSWP or FSTP. An approved English result may improve CRS and is required to receive the 50-point bilingual French bonus.
Is a job offer or a French-speaking occupation required?
No job offer or occupation list is imposed by the French category itself. The underlying Express Entry program may have its own rules—for example, FSTP normally requires a qualifying job offer or Canadian certificate of qualification.
What if one French ability is below NCLC 7?
The candidate does not meet this category threshold, even if the other three scores are high. Each of the four abilities must independently reach NCLC 7.
Can I use TEF, TCF, DELF or DALF?
For Express Entry, the accepted French tests are specifically TEF Canada and TCF Canada. Other versions or French credentials do not replace an approved immigration test result.
What happens if my result expires after I receive an invitation?
The result must still be valid when the permanent-residence application is submitted. If it will expire first, the candidate must address the timing or obtain a new valid result before filing.
Can I plan to settle in Québec through this category?
No. The federal Express Entry programs and the economic goal of this category concern immigration outside Québec. Québec selects its own economic immigrants.
Official government sources
General information only. This page was reviewed on the date shown, but IRCC may change categories or instructions without notice. Verify the live government source before relying on any requirement.