In November 2024, IRCC added a new language requirement to the Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP). International students graduating from Canadian programs now need to demonstrate language proficiency — either CLB 7 in English or NCLC 5 in French — before their PGWP will be approved.

For students whose first language isn't English, or whose English test scores fall below CLB 7, French at NCLC 5 has become an unexpected but very achievable pathway to keeping their work permit. This guide explains what NCLC 5 actually looks like, which test to take, and how to reach it in the shortest realistic timeframe.

What the PGWP language requirement actually means

IRCC requires one of the following for a PGWP application:

English: CLB 7 in all four skills (IELTS: 6.0 each band; CELPIP: 7 in each)
French: NCLC 5 in all four skills (TCF Canada or TEF Canada)

You only need to meet the requirement in one language. If your English score is already CLB 7+, you don't need French at all. If it isn't — or if you'd prefer to take the French route — NCLC 5 is B1 level French, which is achievable for most candidates in 6–12 weeks of structured study.

What NCLC 5 actually looks like in practice

NCLC 5 corresponds to B1 on the CEFR scale. At this level, you can:

Understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar topics
Read straightforward texts on subjects related to everyday life and work
Write simple connected text on familiar or personally relevant topics
Handle most situations likely to arise while travelling in a French-speaking area

This is not advanced French. You don't need to debate philosophy or write formal legal letters. NCLC 5 is functional everyday French — understanding a conversation about work, writing a short email, describing an experience.

Which test to take: TCF Canada vs TEF Canada

Both TCF Canada and TEF Canada are accepted by IRCC for PGWP applications. The key differences:

TCF Canada

Administered by the Institut français. Multiple-choice for reading and listening. Spoken and written production marked by examiners. Available at Alliance Française centres across Canada. Results typically take 3 weeks.

TEF Canada

Administered by the CCI (Chamber of Commerce and Industry). Similar four-skill structure. Available at more test centres across Canada, including some campus locations. Results can be faster at some centres.

For PGWP: Choose the test with the earliest available date near you. At NCLC 5, both exams are equivalent difficulty. Check availability at your closest test centre and book whichever has seats in your window.

How long does it take to reach NCLC 5

Estimated preparation time based on starting level:

Complete beginner (no French): 3–5 months, 1 hour/day
Basic French (A1 — some vocabulary, present tense): 6–10 weeks, 1 hour/day
Elementary (A2 — past tense, basic conversations): 4–6 weeks, 1 hour/day
Already B1 in another context: 1–2 weeks of format-specific practice

These estimates assume consistent daily study. Cramming two weeks before the exam from zero is not realistic — French requires time to absorb.

What to focus on for NCLC 5 specifically

Listening (the most important skill to practise)

At NCLC 5, you need to understand conversations about everyday topics — shopping, workplace situations, travel, basic news. The key difficulty is that audio plays once. Practise daily with French radio or podcasts at a controlled pace. The goal is to understand the main point, not every word.

Reading

Read short everyday texts: emails, advertisements, simple news articles. At B1, you should be able to identify the main idea and key details without understanding every word. Practise skimming for gist before reading for detail.

Writing

For NCLC 5 writing, you need to produce a short text (60–80 words) on a simple familiar topic — a message to a friend, a response to an invitation, a brief description. Focus on: correct verb tenses (present, past, future), basic connectors (parce que, donc, mais, cependant), and staying on topic.

Speaking

Speaking is often the skill international students are most nervous about. At NCLC 5, examiners are assessing whether you can communicate clearly on familiar topics — not whether your accent is perfect. Practise speaking in complete sentences, using connectors, and giving structured responses. Record yourself and listen back.

Grammar you need to know for B1 / NCLC 5

Present tense (all common irregular verbs)
Passé composé and imparfait — when to use each
Future simple and futur proche
Basic conditional (je voudrais, ce serait)
Relative pronouns: qui, que, où
Negation: ne…pas, ne…jamais, ne…plus, ne…rien
Question forms (est-ce que, inversion basics)
Basic adjective agreement
Common connectors: mais, donc, parce que, cependant, en effet

You do not need the subjunctive, the passé simple, or complex hypothetical structures for NCLC 5. Keep the grammar scope tight and build fluency within it.

A 6-week plan for international students starting at A1

Week 1–2: Complete A1–A2 fundamentals. Present tense, passé composé, basic vocabulary (numbers, time, places, work). 20 minutes listening daily.

Week 3–4: B1 grammar essentials (imparfait, future, conditional basics). Reading practice with simple news articles. Write one short task per day — 50–80 words.

Week 5: Exam format practice. Read actual B1-level texts under time pressure. Listen to practice recordings without pausing. Practise speaking tasks with a timer.

Week 6: Full mock test under exam conditions. Review all incorrect answers. Final speaking practice on the five most common NCLC 5 topics: daily life, work/studies, travel, health, current events.

What happens after PGWP — French and your PR pathway

Here's something worth considering: if you reach NCLC 5 for your PGWP, you're already partway to NCLC 7 — the level that adds 50–74 points to your Express Entry CRS score. Continuing your French preparation after your PGWP approval can significantly strengthen your permanent residence application.

Many international students in Canada are now treating French as a two-stage investment: NCLC 5 for PGWP, then NCLC 7 for Express Entry CRS points. The B1 → B2 jump typically takes 6–10 weeks of continued study once you have a solid B1 foundation.

Start today

WayToFrench is structured specifically for this pathway — from absolute beginner to NCLC 7 — with a progressive A1 to C2 curriculum, grammar modules covering exactly what the TCF and TEF exams test, and listening practice at the right speed for each level.

Start your first five lessons free — no credit card, 14-day trial.

For section-by-section prep, our TCF Canada guide covers the full format.

If you'd rather work with a real tutor, you can find a French teacher matched to your goals.

French for PGWP: How to Get NCLC 5 Fast as an International Student in Canada