CRS points for French: how much French adds to your Express Entry score
Updated 2026-10-18. Figures come from the official pages linked at the end; check them before you book or apply.
Estimate your CRS points from French
Assumes the same level in all four abilities of each language (the grid awards points per ability). Spouse's language points are not included. Official equivalence table: IRCC (2026-10-18).
French counts three times in the Comprehensive Ranking System: as a first or second official language (points per ability), and as additional points when you reach NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities: 25 points if your English is CLB 4 or lower (or untested), 50 points if your English is CLB 5 or higher in all four abilities. NCLC 7 also opens the French-language proficiency category draws.
How are language points structured in the CRS?
The CRS awards points for your first official language and for your second, per ability, with different maxima depending on whether you apply with or without a spouse or partner. The table below reproduces the official per-ability values; the sentence after it explains how to read it.
| CLB / NCLC level | First language, with spouse | First language, without spouse | Second language (both cases) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 or 5 | 6 | 6 | 0 (CLB 4) · 1 (CLB 5) |
| 6 | 8 | 9 | 1 |
| 7 | 16 | 17 | 3 |
| 8 | 22 | 23 | 3 |
| 9 | 29 | 31 | 6 |
| 10 or more | 32 | 34 | 6 |
Each of the four abilities earns its own points, so a first language at CLB 9 in every ability brings 116 points with a spouse or 124 without; the second language is capped at 22 points with a spouse and 24 without. Most Indian applicants declare English as their first official language and French as the second, which is where the additional points below make the real difference.
What are the additional points for French?
Beyond the per-ability points, the CRS adds a bonus for French proficiency. The conditions are strict and per ability:
- 25 points if you score NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities and CLB 4 or lower in English, or have no English test.
- 50 points if you score NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities and CLB 5 or higher in all four English abilities.
For a candidate with strong English, moving French from NCLC 6 to NCLC 7 in every ability therefore brings 50 additional points plus the per-ability increase from 1 to 3 points per ability: 58 points in total, a change that moves a profile across several recent cut-offs. The calculator above applies these rules to your levels.
What is the French-language proficiency category?
Since 2023 IRCC runs category-based rounds of invitations in addition to general rounds. One category is French-language proficiency: candidates with NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities are eligible for those rounds, whose CRS cut-offs have generally been lower than general rounds. Draw dates, sizes and cut-offs change from round to round; read them on IRCC's rounds page rather than on any third-party summary, including ours.
What is changing in the CRS and does it affect French points?
IRCC's grid page announces that, as of November 3, 2026, points for Canadian work experience and for job offers will be awarded differently and that profiles will be recalculated. The language factors and the additional points for French are not among the announced changes. We update this page within 48 hours when a rule changes; the date at the top tells you when it was last checked.
How long does it take to reach NCLC 7?
It depends on your starting point and on how much you speak and write with correction, not only on how much you study. A realistic plan starts by measuring each ability, then concentrates on the weakest, with regular timed speaking and corrected writing. Use the NCLC calculator if you already have scores, or the free instant test to get a first range; the TCF Canada and TEF Canada pages explain the formats.
Questions candidates ask
Do I get the 50 points with NCLC 7 in three abilities and NCLC 6 in one?
No. The bonus requires NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities.
Can French be my first official language if my English is better?
You choose which language you declare first; the system then applies the first-language table to it and the second-language table to the other. Compare both options with the calculator.
Do my spouse's French results count?
A spouse's or partner's language results earn separate points under the spouse factors; they are not included in the calculator above.
Does a French result expire for Express Entry?
Language results must be valid (less than two years old) when you submit your profile and when you receive an invitation.
