CRS French bonus points: 25 or 50 extra, and draws in the 300s

French is the biggest scoring shortcut in the Express Entry system. Strong French adds 25 or 50 bonus points to your CRS score, and French-language draws invite candidates at cutoffs roughly 100 points lower than regular rounds, sometimes in the high 300s. This guide explains the exact requirements, which test scores qualify, and how the bonus stacks with everything else on your profile.

What the French bonus pays

The bonus has two tiers. NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities earns 25 points when your English is CLB 4 or lower (or you have no English test at all). The same French level earns 50 points when your English is CLB 5 or higher in all four abilities. The tiers reward genuinely bilingual candidates: the strong-French-plus-strong-English combination is worth double the strong-French-alone combination.

On top of the flat bonus, French can also earn core points. If French is your first official language, its CLB-equivalent levels score under the standard first-language table, up to 136 points without a spouse at NCLC 9 and above. If French is your second language, it earns up to 24 points under the second-language table.

The NCLC 7 threshold in test scores

NCLC 7 in every ability is the qualifying bar. On TCF Canada, taken after the current scale came into force, that means listening 458, reading 453, writing 10 and speaking 10. On TEF Canada, listening 434, reading 434, writing 428 and speaking 456 under the post-December 2023 scoring. Miss one ability by one point and the whole bonus is gone, so partial French ability scores nothing here, though it can still add second-language core points at lower NCLC levels.

Why French draws invite so low

Category-based rounds for French-language proficiency have been the softest draws in the system. In 2026 they ran roughly every three to four weeks, invited 4,000 to 8,500 candidates each time, and posted cutoffs between 382 and 435. Compare that with Canadian Experience Class rounds in the same year, which sat between 507 and 523. A candidate at 420 has missed every CEC round of 2026 and cleared most French rounds comfortably. The program behind the category also matters: French-proficiency draws support Canada's francophone immigration targets outside Quebec, which keeps the category active year after year.

A realistic French plan

From zero French, NCLC 7 typically takes 8 to 12 months of steady study for candidates who already speak English well. From intermediate French, it is a matter of targeted test prep on the two abilities most people fail first, writing and speaking. If you already hold NCLC 7, book the test now rather than waiting: bonus points post to your profile immediately, and every French round you skip is a round you might have cleared. Run your numbers with both tests entered in the calculator to see the exact before-and-after.

FAQ

Do I need French AND strong English for the 50 points?

Yes. The 50-point tier requires NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities plus CLB 5 or higher in all four English abilities. French alone with weak English earns the 25-point tier.

Which French test should I take, TEF or TCF?

Either qualifies. TCF Canada reports writing and speaking on a 4-to-20 scale where NCLC 7 sits at 10, which many candidates find easier to verify. TEF Canada works equally well; pick by test availability and price in your city.

Does French help if I score below NCLC 7?

Below NCLC 7 there is no bonus, but French can still count as your second official language for up to 24 core points at NCLC 5 and above, or as your first language if it is your stronger one.