On May 31, 2023, Canadian Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser announced to launch of the category-based selections for the federal Express Entry System. Consequently, since 28 June 2023, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is conducting Category-based draws on a frequent basis, inviting candidates based on six new categories selected for the year 2023. Now let’s talk about French Language Proficiency
Significance of French Language in Canada
Strong French-language proficiency is one of the six categories announced for category-based Express entry draws in 2023, i.e.
- Healthcare
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
- Trades, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
- Transport
- Agriculture and agri-food
- Strong French-language proficiency
Canada is a bilingual country and French is one of the two official languages of Canada along with English.
Hence, the Canadian government always gives preference to newcomers with proficiency in the French language. The fastest and most popular immigration program in Canada, i.e. Express Entry system also give additional points to newcomers with French proficiency.
Why French proficiency is a game changer for Canada PR applicants?
With the advent of category-based Express Entry draws, French language proficiency has become a new game changer for Canadian PR visa applicants. The IRCC dropped the CRS score requirement criteria for the French-speaking candidates in the recent past two- category-based draws held for Francophone (French-speaking) candidates.
Express Entry category-based draws for French language proficiency
| Date | Number of ITAs | CRS Score | Draw Type |
| 07-Jul | 2,300 | 439 | Category-based draw for French proficiency |
| 12-Jul | 3,800 | 375 | Category-based draw for French proficiency |
| Total | 6,100 |
As a result, out of total 8,600 invitations issued by IRCC in five category-based EE draws opened until date, 6,100 went to French-speaking candidates. In fact, the CRS score requirement of 375 points is the lowest Express Entry CUT OFF in last few years.
Also read-
IRCC Reduces CRS score to just 375 in Latest Express Entry Draw- Invites French-speaking candidates
CRS Drops to 439 Points in the 4th Express Entry draw of this week held on 7 July 2023
Eligibility for the French-language proficiency category
Find below the key criteria for category-based EE draw for French language proficiency:
- Applicant must have French-language test results that show a minimum score of 7 in all 4 language abilities on NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens)
- meet all of the requirements in the instructions for such invitation round round
- Applicant’s French language proficiency was assessed on a language test, the results of which must be less than two years old
- Applicant assessed at a level 7 or higher in all language skill areas, according to the benchmarks set out in NCLC
Find below the NCLC criteria for all three categories of the federal Express Entry System:
| Express Entry Program | French Language Proficiency |
| Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) | A minimum of NCLC 7 in all 4 abilities |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | NCLC 5 in speaking and listening NCLC 4 in reading and writing |
| Canadian Experience Class | NCLC 5 in all 4 abilities for TEER 2 or 3 NOCs NCLC 7 in all 4 abilities for TEER 0 or 1 NOCs |
Approved French language tests
- TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
- TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français
Find below the TEF language test comparison chart in terms of NCLC requirement:
| TEF Canada | ||||||
| NOC TEER | NCLC Level | Test results for each ability | ||||
| Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Writing (expression écrite) | |||
| 0 and 1 | 9 and above | 371+ | 298+ | 248+ | 371+ | |
| 0 and 1 | 8 | 349-370 | 280-297 | 233-247 | 349-370 | |
| 0 and 1 | 7 | 310 – 348 | 249 – 279 | 207 – 232 | 310 – 348 | |
| 2 and 3 | 6 | 271 – 309 | 217 – 248 | 181 – 206 | 271 – 309 | |
| 2 and 3 | 5 | 226 – 270 | 181 – 216 | 151 – 180 | 226 – 270 | |
Here is the TCF language test comparison chart in terms of NCLC requirement:
| TCF Canada | ||||||
| NOC TEER | NCLC Level | Test results for each ability | ||||
| Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Writing (expression écrite) | |||
| 0 and 1 | 10 and above | 16 – 20 | 549 – 699 | 549 – 699 | 16 – 20 | |
| 0 and 1 | 9 | 14 – 15 | 523 – 548 | 524 – 548 | 14 – 15 | |
| 0 and 1 | 8 | 12 – 13 | 503 – 522 | 499 – 523 | 12 – 13 | |
| 0 and 1 | 7 | 10 – 11 | 458 – 502 | 453 – 498 | 10 – 11 | |
| 2 and 3 | 6 | 7 – 9 | 398 – 457 | 406 – 452 | 7 – 9 | |
| 2 and 3 | 5 | 6 | 369 – 397 | 375 – 405 | 6 | |
Also read-
Canada opens 5th Express Entry draw of July Month- Invites 800 candidates
Canada is attracting IT professionals- It’s the best time to apply for Canadian PR visa
Canada has announced to offer Open Work Permit to Start-up Visa Holders!
New Arrima Draw- Quebec invites 1,218 candidates for Permanent Selection
