Canada wants more French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec. Its levels plan sets them at 9% of permanent residents in 2026, rising to 10.5% in 2028 (IRCC). The main way it gets there is Express Entry rounds for French speakers only, with far lower cutoffs than the Canadian Experience Class rounds.
The French-language category
To be invited in a French-language round you need NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills: listening, reading, speaking and writing, on TEF Canada or TCF Canada. You also need a profile in the Express Entry pool, which means qualifying for one of its programs.
The cutoffs in 2026
12 French-language rounds so far this year, 60,500 invitations, with cutoffs from 382 to 435. Canadian Experience Class rounds cut off between 507 and 523 over the same months.
| French round | Invitations | Lowest CRS invited |
|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 5,000 | 407 |
| October 2026 | 5,000 | 435 |
| August 2026 | 5,000 | 382 |
| August 2026 | 5,000 | 391 |
| July 2026 | 5,000 | 399 |
| July 2026 | 5,000 | 420 |
| May 2026 | 4,500 | 409 |
| April 2026 | 4,000 | 400 |
| April 2026 | 4,000 | 419 |
| March 2026 | 4,000 | 393 |
| March 2026 | 5,500 | 397 |
| February 2026 | 8,500 | 400 |
From IRCC's rounds of invitations. Past cutoffs do not promise future ones, and an invitation starts an application; it is not permanent residence by itself.
French adds points too
Under the CRS, NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills is worth extra points:
- 50 points with CLB 5 or higher in all four English skills.
- 25 points with CLB 4 or lower in English, or no English test.
If English is your first official language, French as your second can add up to 24 more. So the same result raises your score and opens rounds with a lower bar.
What NCLC 7 means on TEF Canada
| Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLC 7 | 249+ | 207+ | 310+ | 310+ |
Every skill must reach it; one short skill is enough to miss the category. Check yours with the score calculator, and see TEF vs TCF if you have not picked a test.
How to get there
- Find your weakest skill with a free practice test.
- Train all four, since the category needs NCLC 7 in each. The preparation plan covers them.
- Book early. Sessions fill. See fees and booking.
- Watch the two-year clock. Results must be under two years old when you create your profile and when you apply.
Practise with TEF Trainer
TEF Trainer is TEF Canada practice for all four papers, in your browser.
- Predictions: TEF-style listening and reading predictions, based on recent exams and updated regularly (560 questions).
- The full question bank: 1,925 listening and reading questions in all.
- Every speaking and writing topic (435) with a model answer, in French with English alongside.
- English translations and answer explanations, plus shuffle mode, autoplay and audio speed control.
144 questions and 32 topics are free, with everything switched on. No account, no card.
Start practising free See pricing
General information from IRCC's published rules, not immigration advice. For your own case, see a licensed consultant (RCIC) or a lawyer.
Updated November 2026. Exam rules and fees change: check them with your test centre and on canada.ca.