CRS Points for French
French is one of the most powerful ways to raise your CRS score. NCLC 7 in all four abilities adds up to 50 additional points, plus second-language points, and makes you eligible for French-language draws, which have had some of the lowest cut-offs. Add French to your calculation →
French points
| Your French and English | Additional points |
|---|---|
| NCLC 7+ in all four French abilities and CLB 5+ in all four English abilities | 50 |
| NCLC 7+ in all four French abilities and CLB 4 or lower (or no English test) | 25 |
| Below NCLC 7 in any French ability | 0 |
On top of that, French as your second official language earns up to 24 points (6 per ability at NCLC 9+).
What French adds in practice
Single, 29, master's degree, CLB 9 English, 3 years of foreign experience (469 without French):
| French level (all four) | CRS score | Gain |
|---|---|---|
| None | 469 | — |
| NCLC 7 | 531 | +62 |
| NCLC 9 | 543 | +74 |
French-language draws
In 2026, IRCC held 12 French-language proficiency draws with cut-offs from 382 to 435, often with thousands of invitations at a time. The latest was 407 (Oct 27, 2026). See all draws.
Test scores for NCLC 7
- TEF Canada: listening 434 · reading 434 · writing 428 · speaking 456 (full chart)
- TCF Canada: listening 458 · reading 453 · writing 10/20 · speaking 10/20 (full chart)
FAQ
How many CRS points do you get for French?
NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities gives 50 additional points if your English is CLB 5 or higher in all four, or 25 if it isn't. French also earns up to 24 second-language points.
What level of French do I need for French-language draws?
French-language proficiency draws invite candidates with NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities.
Which French tests are accepted?
TEF Canada and TCF Canada.
Source: IRCC, CRS criteria and rounds of invitations. More factors: age · education · language · work experience · spouse · full CRS score chart