What this category is
The French-language proficiency category selects Express Entry candidates on the strength of their French, not their occupation. IRCC set it up to support economic growth through Francophone immigration outside Quebec. It was renewed for 2026 and has had more rounds than any other category this year.
There is no occupation list and no category-specific work-experience rule. The work-experience and other rules come from the program you qualify under (CEC, FSWP or FSTP).
Eligibility
To be invited in a French-language proficiency round, you must:
- Be eligible for at least one of the three programs managed through Express Entry: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
- Have a valid profile in the Express Entry pool on the day of the round.
- Meet every requirement in the Ministerial Instructions for the specific round.
- Have results from an approved French test (TEF Canada or TCF Canada) showing at least NCLC 7 in each of the four abilities: speaking, listening, reading and writing. The results must be less than 2 years old.
- Candidates who are members of the provincial nominee class are not members of the category under the round instructions. Provincial nominees are invited through Provincial Nominee Program rounds.
Approved French tests and NCLC 7 scores
IRCC accepts two French tests for Express Entry: TEF Canada and TCF Canada. Other French tests and diplomas, such as DELF or DALF, do not replace them. Each ability must reach NCLC 7 on its own; an average is not used.
| Test (NCLC 7 band) | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEF Canada | 310–348 | 249–279 | 207–232 | 310–348 |
| TCF Canada | 10–11 | 458–502 | 453–498 | 10–11 |
Higher scores also qualify. For TEF Canada, IRCC tells candidates to enter the scores from the “Équivalence ancien score” column of the results, not the “Score / 699” column. Entering the wrong scores can lead to a refusal.
French-language CRS points
The category and the CRS points for French are separate. NCLC 7 in all four French abilities can make you eligible for the category and can also earn additional CRS points:
25 additional points
NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities, with English at CLB 4 or lower, or no English test.
50 additional points
NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities, with English at CLB 5 or higher in all four abilities.
These points are part of the additional-points section of the CRS. They are not the same as the 600 points for a provincial nomination, and they do not guarantee an invitation.
Recent rounds for this category
All French-language proficiency rounds held in 2026 so far (version “2026-Version 2”):
| Round | Date | Invitations | Lowest CRS invited | Tie-breaking rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #450 | October 16, 2026 | 5,000 | 435 | October 6, 2026, 21:31:22 UTC |
| #437 | August 19, 2026 | 5,000 | 382 | March 1, 2026, 18:34:05 UTC |
| #433 | August 6, 2026 | 5,000 | 391 | March 18, 2026, 23:32:40 UTC |
| #429 | July 22, 2026 | 5,000 | 399 | November 19, 2025, 21:21:56 UTC |
| #425 | July 9, 2026 | 5,000 | 420 | May 15, 2026, 08:04:00 UTC |
| #418 | May 28, 2026 | 4,500 | 409 | April 29, 2026, 22:20:00 UTC |
| #414 | April 29, 2026 | 4,000 | 400 | April 7, 2026, 20:13:59 UTC |
| #411 | April 15, 2026 | 4,000 | 419 | November 14, 2025, 07:14:25 UTC |
| #405 | March 18, 2026 | 4,000 | 393 | December 29, 2025, 12:47:31 UTC |
| #401 | March 4, 2026 | 5,500 | 397 | October 10, 2025, 18:18:20 UTC |
| #394 | February 6, 2026 | 8,500 | 400 | February 3, 2026, 11:11:44 UTC |
Source: IRCC rounds of invitations data, read October 18, 2026. Every round listed was open to candidates eligible under FSWP, CEC and FSTP. A past cut-off is history, not a prediction: each round has its own invitation total, pool and tie-breaking rule. The tie-breaking rule means that among candidates with the lowest score, only profiles submitted before that date and time were invited.
In 2026, French rounds have issued between 4,000 and 8,500 invitations, with cut-offs from 382 to 435.
The program you must qualify under
A category round ranks only people who are already in the Express Entry pool, and you are in the pool only if you meet the entry requirements of at least one of three programs. The category's own requirement (NCLC 7 in all four French abilities) is a separate test and does not replace them.
| Requirement | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) | Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled work experience | At least 1 year (1,560 hours) in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3, gained in Canada in the 3 years before you apply, while authorized to work | At least 1 year of continuous full-time work (or the part-time equivalent, 1,560 hours) in one primary occupation in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3, within the last 10 years, in Canada or abroad | At least 2 years of full-time work (3,120 hours) in one skilled trade within the 5 years before you apply, in Canada or abroad |
| Minimum language level | CLB/NCLC 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs; CLB/NCLC 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs | CLB/NCLC 7 in all four abilities | CLB/NCLC 5 in speaking and listening; CLB/NCLC 4 in reading and writing |
| Education | Not required | A Canadian credential, or a completed foreign credential with an educational credential assessment (ECA) | Not required |
| Job offer or certificate | Not required | Not required; a valid job offer adds points on the program's 100-point grid | A valid full-time job offer of at least 1 year, or a certificate of qualification in the trade from a Canadian authority |
| Proof of funds | Not required | Required, unless you are authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer | Required, unless you are authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer |
| Other conditions | Work done while studying full-time, co-op terms, self-employment (except some physicians), volunteer work and unpaid internships do not count | At least 67 of 100 points on the program's selection grid | You must have been qualified to practise the trade in the country where you worked |
How a category round works
- Enter the Express Entry poolCreate a profile. If you are eligible for CEC, FSWP or FSTP, IRCC places you in the pool and gives you a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
- IRCC identifies category-eligible profilesIRCC checks the information in each profile against the requirements of the category set by the Minister.
- Eligible candidates are ranked by CRSWithin the category, candidates are ranked against each other by their existing CRS score. The category itself adds no points.
- The highest-ranked candidates are invitedThe round's Ministerial Instructions set the number of invitations. The cut-off and tie-breaking rule follow from the ranking.
- Apply within 60 daysAn invitation to apply (ITA) gives you 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence.
- IRCC decides the applicationThe officer checks program eligibility, the accuracy of the profile, category eligibility and admissibility to Canada.
Documents to prepare
- Valid TEF Canada or TCF Canada results, less than 2 years old
- Employer reference letters on letterhead showing job title, dates, hours per week, pay and a detailed list of duties
- Supporting records such as pay stubs, tax slips, contracts or employment records
- A clear match between your duties and the lead statement and main duties of the NOC you claim
- Certified translations of documents that are not in English or French, with copies of the originals
- A valid passport or travel document
- An educational credential assessment (ECA) report for foreign education, less than 5 years old (required for FSWP)
- Proof of funds if you apply under FSWP or FSTP and are not exempt (see the fees and proof of funds section below)
- Police certificates for you and each family member aged 18 or older, from every country where you lived for 6 months or more in a row in the past 10 years (time in Canada and time before age 18 does not count)
- An immigration medical exam from an IRCC panel physician, done after your invitation, for you and every family member, including those not coming with you
- Birth certificates for dependent children, and marriage, divorce, death or adoption certificates that match your family situation
- Biometrics (fingerprints and photo), which are generally required for permanent residence applications
- All documents required by the program you qualify under (CEC, FSWP or FSTP) and by your personalized checklist after an ITA
Fees and proof of funds
These are IRCC's published fees, in Canadian dollars, for an economic-class permanent residence application (IRCC fee list, modified September 21, 2026). IRCC raised the right of permanent residence fee and the processing fee for applications received on or after April 30, 2026.
| Fee | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant | $1,590 ($990 processing fee plus $600 right of permanent residence fee) |
| Spouse or common-law partner | $1,590 ($990 plus $600) |
| Dependent child, per child | $270 (no right of permanent residence fee) |
| Biometrics | $85 per person; maximum $170 for a family of 2 or more applying together |
The processing fee is due when you submit. The $600 right of permanent residence fee is usually paid when the application is approved, but you can pay it with your application. If IRCC finds your application incomplete, it refunds your fees, but once processing has started the processing fee is not refunded.
FSWP and FSTP candidates must show settlement funds unless they are authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer. CEC candidates do not need to show funds. Anyone who is exempt still uploads a letter explaining the exemption. IRCC's current table (marked updated July 7, 2025, and still posted on October 18, 2026) is:
| Family members | Funds needed (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $15,263 |
| 2 | $19,001 |
| 3 | $23,360 |
| 4 | $28,362 |
| 5 | $32,168 |
| 6 | $36,280 |
| 7 | $40,392 |
| Each additional member | $4,112 |
- Family size counts you, your spouse or partner and all dependent children, even if they are not coming or are already Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
- Funds must be available to you when you apply and when the permanent resident visa is issued. Borrowed money and home equity do not count.
- Bank letters must be on the bank's letterhead and show your name, account numbers, account opening dates, current balance, six-month average balance and any outstanding debts.
Important limits
- Being eligible for a category adds no CRS points and does not guarantee that IRCC will hold a round for that category. IRCC may not need a category round if enough category-eligible candidates are invited through other rounds.
- The occupation list, the work-experience rule and the round instructions can change. The live IRCC page and the instructions for the exact round decide.
- An invitation does not remove the need to prove program eligibility, every CRS point claimed, category eligibility and admissibility.
Frequently asked questions
Does NCLC 7 guarantee an invitation?
No. It is the minimum for the category. Eligible candidates are still ranked by CRS, and IRCC decides how many to invite in each round.
Can French be my second official language?
Yes. The category looks at your French results, whichever language you list first. Depending on your English results, French can also earn 25 or 50 additional CRS points.
Do I need an English test?
Not for the category itself. But you must still qualify for CEC, FSWP or FSTP, and you need English at CLB 5 or higher in all four abilities to receive the 50-point French bonus instead of 25.
Do I need a job offer or a French-speaking job?
No. The category has no occupation list and needs no job offer. The program you qualify under may have its own rules; for example, FSTP requires a qualifying job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification.
What if one ability is below NCLC 7?
You do not meet the category requirement, even if the other three scores are high. Each ability must reach NCLC 7.
Can I use DELF, DALF or another French test?
No. For Express Entry, IRCC accepts only TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French.
What if my results expire after I receive an invitation?
They must still be valid on the day you submit your application. If they will expire first, you need new results before you apply, or you can decline the invitation and return to the pool.
Can I settle in Quebec through this category?
No. The Express Entry programs require you to plan to live outside Quebec, and this category supports Francophone immigration outside Quebec. Quebec selects its own economic immigrants.
What government fees do I pay after an invitation?
For a principal applicant, $1,590 ($990 processing fee plus the $600 right of permanent residence fee). A spouse or partner is also $1,590, each dependent child is $270, and biometrics are $85 per person (maximum $170 per family). See the fees section above. Language tests, the ECA, the medical exam, police certificates and translations cost extra.
Do I need proof of funds?
Only if you qualify under FSWP or FSTP, and not if you are authorized to work in Canada with a valid job offer. CEC candidates do not need to show funds. Exempt candidates upload a letter explaining the exemption.
Can my spouse and children be included?
Yes. You declare your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children in your profile and application. Each family member needs a medical exam, even if they are not coming with you, and police certificates from age 18, and fees apply for each.
What if my situation changes after I receive an invitation?
Recalculate your score before you apply. If it falls below the lowest score in the latest round, for example because a job offer, a nomination or your language results are no longer valid, IRCC says you should decline the invitation. An application sent anyway may be refused and the fee may not be refunded. Declining returns you to the pool.
How long does an Express Entry profile last?
A profile stays in the pool for up to 12 months from the day it is received. Keep it accurate: every claim must be proven with documents if you are invited.
Official sources
- IRCC: Express Entry, category-based selection (current categories and occupation lists)
- IRCC backgrounder, February 18, 2026: 2026 categories and the 12-month work-experience rule
- IRCC: Express Entry rounds of invitations
- IRCC: Express Entry language tests, validity and score conversion
- IRCC: CRS criteria, additional points for French
- IRCC: Express Entry for French-speaking skilled workers
- IRCC: Ministerial Instructions for round #450 (French-language proficiency)
- IRCC: Express Entry, what to do after an invitation to apply
- IRCC: Express Entry, proof of funds
- IRCC: permanent residence fees
- IRCC notice: permanent residence fees increasing on April 30, 2026
- IRCC: Federal Skilled Worker Program eligibility
- IRCC: Federal Skilled Trades Program eligibility
- IRCC: Canadian Experience Class eligibility
- IRCC: changes to Express Entry for high-wage occupations (October 2026)
This page is general information about Canadian immigration law and policy as of the date above. It is not legal advice for your situation. Programs, forms and fees change often; check the official sources before you apply.