How Many CRS Points Is French Worth?

People often ask for one number, but the CRS counts French in three different places. They are separate, and they can stack:

If French is your stronger language, IRCC counts it as your *first* official language, which has a larger scale. This guide covers the more common case of English first and French second. The first-language values are in IRCC's CRS criteria, linked at the bottom.

For each of the four skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening), IRCC converts your result to a CLB/NCLC level and gives points for it. The scale is the same with or without a partner:

The total is capped at 24 points without a spouse or common-law partner and 22 points with one. In practice that makes this the smaller part of what French is worth. Four skills at NCLC 7 give 12 points; four at NCLC 9 give 24.

This is the part most people mean. It sits in the "additional points" section of the CRS and has two levels, both of which need NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills:

• All four skills count. NCLC 7 in three skills and NCLC 6 in the fourth earns no bonus. Find your weakest skill first. See the TEF Canada and TCF Canada score charts.
• The 50-point level needs an English result. You need an approved English test with CLB 5 or higher in all four skills.
• Valid results only. Your French result must be accepted by IRCC for Express Entry. See how long TEF and TCF results stay valid.

These examples add up only the French-related points, for an applicant without a spouse or partner whose English is the stronger language. Your total CRS also includes age, education, work experience and other factors.

The last row shows why one weak skill matters so much. Moving from NCLC 6 to NCLC 7 in a single skill takes that profile from 10 French points to 62. With a partner, the core French part is capped at 22, so the third row would total 72.

Besides the points, NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills makes you eligible for French-language proficiency rounds. IRCC invites top-ranking candidates who meet that category, and the cutoff has usually been lower than in general rounds. In 2026 so far, French-round cutoffs have ranged from 382 to 435.

A higher CRS still helps in these rounds, because the bonus points count towards your score. IRCC has no fixed schedule for French rounds and no round is guaranteed. See every French draw and our reports on draw #452 and draw #450.

IRCC's CRS page says that from November 3, 2026 it is changing how points are awarded for Canadian work experience and valid job offers, and removing the LMIA requirement for job offers. IRCC will recalculate existing profiles, which it says could take up to two weeks. As of October 2026, IRCC's page does not describe a change to the French points above, but the full grid has not been republished, so check the official page before you decide.

1. 1Get your skill levels. Use the NCLC calculator to convert real or practice scores for each of the four skills.
2. 2Find your weakest skill. The 25 and 50-point bonus needs NCLC 7 in all four, so that skill sets your target.
3. 3Check your English. If you have, or can take, an approved English test, CLB 5 in all four skills moves the bonus from 25 to 50.
4. 4Choose a test. Compare TEF Canada and TCF Canada, then book early, since results take time and are valid for a limited period.
5. 5Practise under exam timing with the free TEF or TCF practice test.

Reaching NCLC 7 does not guarantee an invitation to apply. Your total CRS score, the type of round and the cutoff on the day all decide that. Frenchly's NCLC results are estimates, not official scores.