What do I need to qualify for the full +50 CRS French bonus?

You need NCLC Level 7 or higher in all four French skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) plus CLB Level 5 or higher in English.

What if my English is below CLB 5?

You can still qualify for a +25 CRS bonus with NCLC 7+ in French and just CLB 4 in English — less than the full +50, but still a meaningful boost.

Which French tests count toward the NCLC bonus?

TEF (Ministère de l'Éducation Nationale) and TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français) are the two officially accepted tests. NCLC 7 is roughly equivalent to a TEF score of 300+ or a TCF score of 200+.

How much lower are French-exclusive draw cutoffs?

In the first half of 2026, French-exclusive draws invited at CRS 379-419, compared to CRS 507-530 for general draws — a gap of over 120 points.

Express Entry French Bonus: How French Speakers Get +50 CRS Points in 2026

Why French Speakers Win in Express Entry 2026

In June 2026, Express Entry issued 8,500+ ITAs in a single French-language draw at CRS 400. Meanwhile, general draws require CRS 520+.

That's a 120-point advantage for French speakers.

This isn't luck—it's the +50 CRS bonus for French proficiency. Here's how to get it.

How the French Bonus Works

Option 1: +25 CRS Points

Requirements:

NCLC Level 7+ in ALL FOUR French skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking)
CLB Level 4 (minimum) in English

Translation: You're bilingual but English isn't strong

Option 2: +50 CRS Points (The Big Prize)

Requirements:

NCLC Level 7+ in ALL FOUR French skills
CLB Level 5+ in English (intermediate or higher)

Translation: You're bilingual with strong English + French. This is what Canada wants.

What Are NCLC Level 7 & CLB Level 5?

NCLC 7 French	CEFR Equivalent	Can You...
NCLC 7	B2	Discuss complex topics, understand most media, write formal documents

CLB 5 English	CEFR Equivalent	Can You...
CLB 5	A2/B1	Handle most work conversations, understand main ideas in meetings

Which Test to Take?

For French (NCLC): Two official tests accepted:

TEF (Ministère de l'Éducation Nationale) - European test, widely accepted
TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français) - Official French government test

Scoring equivalence:

NCLC 7 = TEF 300+ points OR TCF 200+ points (approximately)

For English (CLB): IELTS, TOEFL, or CELPIP accepted

CRS Scoring Breakdown with French Bonus

Category	No French	+25 French	+50 French
Age 30 + Bachelor + CLB 5 English (3 yrs work)	476 CRS	501 CRS	526 CRS
Age 28 + Master's + CLB 4 English (2 yrs work)	421 CRS	446 CRS	471 CRS

2026 French Draw Cutoff Trends

French-exclusive draws in 2026 (Jan-June):

February 2026: CRS 419 (8,000 ITAs)
March 2026: CRS 406 (7,500 ITAs)
April 2026: CRS 395 (8,500 ITAs)
May 2026: CRS 400 (8,500 ITAs)

General (English-only) draws: CRS 507-530 (much harder)

Your Path to +50 CRS French Bonus

Step 1: Test Your French

Take a diagnostic test (Forvo, RFI Savoirs) to assess if you're close to NCLC 7

Step 2: French Prep (If Needed)

If you're at A2-B1, invest 8-12 weeks reaching NCLC 7 (B2 CEFR level)

Step 3: Book Official Test

Schedule TEF or TCF with IRCC-approved testing center

Step 4: Build Full Express Entry Profile

Education credential assessment (ECA), English CLB 5+ test, work experience documentation

Step 5: Submit & Wait for French Draw

IRCC now does frequent French-exclusive draws. Get invitations at CRS 379-419 (vs 500+ general)

Bottom Line

If you speak French or are willing to reach B2 level (NCLC 7), Express Entry 2026 gives you a massive advantage: 120+ CRS points lower cutoffs than English-only applicants. This is the single biggest edge in Canadian immigration right now.

Start French prep immediately. The ROI is extraordinary.

Want to see where you stand? Plug your profile into our Express Entry CRS calculator.