# French for Express Entry: the levels that count

> How French helps in Express Entry: NCLC 7 and NCLC 5 minimums by program, up to 50 extra CRS points, the French-language category, and 2-year validity.

Canonical: https://frenchtestcanada.ca/french-for-express-entry
Last updated: 2026-10-26

French can be your first official language, your second one, or a source of bonus points on top of English. Here’s what IRCC asks for at each level, and why NCLC 7 is the number most French test-takers aim for.

## Minimum levels by program

*Minimum level in your first official language (IRCC). CLB is for English, NCLC for French.*
| Program | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Federal Skilled Worker | NCLC 7 | NCLC 7 | NCLC 7 | NCLC 7 |
| Canadian Experience Class, TEER 0 or 1 job | NCLC 7 | NCLC 7 | NCLC 7 | NCLC 7 |
| Canadian Experience Class, TEER 2 or 3 job | NCLC 5 | NCLC 5 | NCLC 5 | NCLC 5 |
| Federal Skilled Trades | NCLC 5 | NCLC 5 | NCLC 4 | NCLC 4 |

So “CLB 5 in French” (NCLC 5) is enough for some Canadian Experience Class and Skilled Trades applicants, while NCLC 7 opens the Federal Skilled Worker Program and more points.

## Extra CRS points for French

*Additional points for French-language skills (Comprehensive Ranking System)*
| Your French | Your English | Extra points |
| --- | --- | --- |
| NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities | CLB 4 or lower, or no English test | 25 |
| NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities | CLB 5 or higher in all four abilities | 50 |

These come on top of your language points. If English is your first official language, French as your second can also earn up to 6 points per ability (22 with a spouse or partner, 24 without), and you need at least CLB 5 to earn any.

## The French-language proficiency category

IRCC lists French-language proficiency as a current category for category-based Express Entry draws. To be eligible you need **NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities**, plus anything in the instructions for that round.

See the [score converter](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/nclc-converter) to turn a TEF Canada or TCF Canada score into an NCLC level.

## Which test, and when

- IRCC accepts two French tests: **TEF Canada** and **TCF Canada**. See [TEF vs TCF](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/vs/tef-vs-tcf).
- Results must be **less than 2 years old** when you create your profile **and** when you submit your permanent residence application. Applications with expired results are refused.
- For TEF Canada, enter the “Équivalence ancien score” figures in your profile, not the score out of 699.
- Leave room for a retake: TEF Canada needs 20 days between sittings, TCF Canada 30 days.

> We’re an independent practice site. We’re not affiliated with CCI Paris Île-de-France (TEF Canada), France Éducation international (TCF Canada) or IRCC, and our questions are our own writing, not real exam questions.

## Questions people ask

### What is CLB 7 in French?

In French the scale is called NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens). NCLC 7 is the French equivalent of CLB 7, the minimum in all four abilities for the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

### Is CLB 5 in French enough for Express Entry?

For some programs. NCLC 5 in all four abilities meets the Canadian Experience Class minimum for TEER 2 or 3 jobs, and NCLC 5 in speaking and listening (4 in reading and writing) meets Federal Skilled Trades.

### How many points does French add?

25 extra CRS points for NCLC 7+ in all four French abilities with CLB 4 or lower in English, or 50 points with CLB 5+ in all four English abilities.

### How long are French test results valid for Express Entry?

They must be less than 2 years old when you create your profile and when you submit your application.

## Sources

- [Express Entry: language requirements by program (IRCC, canada.ca)](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/language-requirements.html) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [Comprehensive Ranking System criteria (IRCC, canada.ca)](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/check-score/crs-criteria.html) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [Express Entry: category-based selection (IRCC, canada.ca)](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/submit-profile/rounds-invitations/category-based-selection.html) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [Express Entry: language test results (IRCC, canada.ca)](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/language-requirements/language-testing.html) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [TEF Canada: getting your certificate (Le français des affaires)](https://www.lefrancaisdesaffaires.fr/en/candidate/test-evaluation-francais/tef-canada/certificate/) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [TCF Canada: épreuves obligatoires (France Éducation international)](https://www.france-education-international.fr/en/document/presentationtcfcanada-en) (checked 2026-10-26)

Not affiliated with CCI Paris Île-de-France (TEF), France Éducation international (TCF) or IRCC.

## Related

- [A French test plan for Express Entry candidates](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/for/express-entry-candidates)
- [TEF Canada vs CELPIP: the French route or the English route](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/vs/tef-canada-vs-celpip)
- [TEF Canada vs TCF Canada](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/vs/tef-vs-tcf)
- [TEF Canada: the complete guide](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada)