CLB 7 in French is NCLC 7: the same level under its French name. It is the bar for Express Entry's French category, and it must be reached in all four skills.
The scores for CLB 7
| NCLC 7 | TEF, ancien score | TEF, out of 699 | TCF Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 249-279 | 434-461 | 458-502 |
| Reading | 207-232 | 434-461 | 453-498 |
| Speaking | 310-348 | 456-493 | 10-11 |
| Writing | 310-348 | 428-471 | 10-11 |
A TEF certificate shows two scales, which is why you see different numbers quoted. The 699 column is from CCI Paris's table, for tests from December 2023. For Express Entry, IRCC says to enter the Équivalence ancien score column. Try yours in the NCLC calculator.
What CLB 7 looks like
Alliance Française equates level 7 with B2. CCI's description of B2: you understand the main points of a complex text, communicate with spontaneity and ease, and express an opinion on a current topic, with pros and cons. The scales were not built to match, so treat it as a guide. IRCC reads only your NCLC level.
Who needs it
| Goal | French needed |
|---|---|
| Express Entry French category | NCLC 7, all four skills |
| Extra CRS points for French | NCLC 7, all four skills |
| Francophone Community Immigration Pilot | NCLC 5, all four skills |
| Francophone Mobility work permit | NCLC 5, speaking and listening |
| Citizenship | NCLC 4, speaking and listening |
Check your program on canada.ca. See every Francophone route.
Learning French for Canada PR: how long does it take?
There is no official answer. Two reference points:
- The US Foreign Service Institute puts French at about 30 weeks and 750 class hours for English speakers to reach professional working proficiency, in full-time classes with a teacher.
- Language schools often quote 500 to 700 hours from zero to CLB 7. That is a sales figure, not a measurement.
At 600 hours, as a planning number, the arithmetic is:
| Hours a week | Months from zero |
|---|---|
| 5 | About 28 |
| 10 | About 14 |
| 20 | About 7 |
| 30 | About 5 |
If you already have some French, you are not starting from zero, so measure before you plan. What usually decides it is the weakest skill, since one short paper is enough to miss the category.
A practice percentage is not a TEF score, but it shows which skill is furthest behind. Then follow the preparation plan.
Common questions
What TEF Canada score is CLB 7?
On the Équivalence ancien score column: 249 in listening, 207 in reading, and 310 in speaking and writing. Out of 699, for tests from December 2023: 434 in listening and reading, 428 in writing and 456 in speaking.
Is CLB 7 the same as B2?
Roughly. Alliance Française describes level 7 as B2, though the two scales were not built to match exactly, and IRCC reads only your NCLC level.
Is CLB 7 enough for Canada PR?
It is the minimum for Express Entry's French category, but it does not guarantee an invitation. You also need a profile in the pool and a CRS score at or above the round's cutoff.
Can one skill be below CLB 7?
Not for the French category. All four skills must reach it, each scored on its own.
How long does it take to reach CLB 7 in French?
There is no official figure, and it depends on your starting level and weekly hours. From zero, plan for many months of steady study; measure yourself with a practice test.
Where can I practise for TEF Canada?
TEF Trainer, which publishes this guide, has all four papers online: 1,923 listening and reading questions, including TEF-style predictions, and 435 speaking and writing topics with model answers, plus English translations and answer explanations. 142 questions and 32 topics are free, with no account and no card.
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 (558 questions).
- The full question bank: 1,923 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.
142 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.