French language skills give you two separate CRS point advantages in Express Entry: standard language points scored per CLB level, and a bilingual bonus for candidates who demonstrate strong proficiency in both French and English. Most candidates know one or the other exists. Very few know exactly how the two combine.
This article gives you the exact CRS point values for each CLB level in French, the bilingual bonus thresholds, what the combined impact looks like in real draws, and how 2025 French draws are trending.
The Two French Language Advantages
Before the numbers: there are two distinct mechanisms.
Mechanism 1 — Standard language points. Every Express Entry candidate is scored on their first official language (and optionally a second official language). If French is your first official language, you earn CRS points for each skill at your CLB level. If English is your first official language and French is your second, you earn a smaller set of points for French skills.
Mechanism 2 — French-language bilingual bonus. If French is your first official language and you also demonstrate English at CLB 5 or higher as a second official language, IRCC awards a separate bonus (25 or 50 points) in addition to the standard language points above.
These two mechanisms stack. A candidate with French CLB 9 as their first language and English CLB 9+ as their second language earns standard language points for both languages plus the 50-point bonus.
Standard Language Points: French as First Official Language
| Skill | CLB 7 | CLB 8 | CLB 9 | CLB 10+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking | 6 | 8 | 16 | 16 |
| Listening | 6 | 8 | 16 | 16 |
| Reading | 6 | 8 | 16 | 16 |
| Writing | 6 | 8 | 16 | 16 |
| Total | 24 | 32 | 64 | 64 |
Reading the table: - CLB 7 in all four French skills earns 24 CRS points from language - CLB 9 in all four French skills earns 64 CRS points — 40 more than CLB 7 - CLB 10 earns the same as CLB 9 (the scale caps at CLB 9 for language points)
The CLB 8 to CLB 9 jump is the most significant: Moving from CLB 8 (32 points) to CLB 9 (64 points) doubles your language points. No other single-skill improvement in Express Entry has this leverage. For a candidate currently at CLB 8 across all four French skills, pushing to CLB 9 in all four adds 32 CRS points.
Standard Language Points: French as Second Official Language
Candidates whose first official language is English can also earn CRS points for French as a second official language.
| Skill | CLB 5–8 | CLB 9–10 | CLB 11–12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| Listening | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| Reading | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| Writing | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| Total | 4 | 12 | 24 |
Note: Second official language CRS points are much smaller than first official language points. A candidate with English as their first official language claiming French as a second language at CLB 9 earns 12 points — compared to 64 points if French were their first official language. The distinction matters significantly for CRS score strategy.
The Bilingual Bonus: How It Works
The bilingual bonus is the most underused CRS point mechanism available to French-speaking candidates.
Eligibility: You receive the bilingual bonus if: - French is your first official language for the purposes of Express Entry, AND - You demonstrate English proficiency at CLB 5 or higher as a second official language
Bonus amounts:
| English Second OL Level | French First OL Minimum | Bonus Points |
|---|---|---|
| CLB 5–8 | CLB 7+ | 25 CRS points |
| CLB 9 or higher | CLB 7+ | 50 CRS points |
The 50-point bonus is the highest single non-job-offer CRS point gain available. A job offer (NOC TEER 0/1) adds 50 CRS points. The bilingual bonus adds 50 CRS points. These can both apply to the same candidate.
Total CRS Points: Real-World Combinations
The following scenarios show the total CRS language impact (standard points only — not including age, education, experience, or job offer):
Scenario 1: French CLB 7, No English
Scenario 2: French CLB 9, No English
Scenario 3: French CLB 7, English CLB 9+
Scenario 4: French CLB 9, English CLB 9+
The difference between Scenario 1 and Scenario 4 is 102 CRS points — purely from language. For reference, the minimum CRS score for most Federal Skilled Worker Program draws in 2024 was in the 480–520 range. Language alone can account for roughly 20–25% of a competitive CRS score.
TEF and TCF Canada Scores for Key French CLB Targets
CLB 7 Scores (French)
| Skill | TEF Canada Score | TCF Canada Score |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 207–232 / 300 | 453–498 / 699 |
| Listening | 249–279 / 360 | 458–502 / 699 |
| Writing | 316–350 / 450 | 10–11 / 20 |
| Speaking | 316–350 / 450 | 10–11 / 20 |
CLB 9 Scores (French)
| Skill | TEF Canada Score | TCF Canada Score |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 254–267 / 300 | 549–586 / 699 |
| Listening | 298–315 / 360 | 503–540 / 699 |
| Writing | 393–413 / 450 | 14–15 / 20 |
| Speaking | 393–413 / 450 | 14–15 / 20 |
2025 French Express Entry Draws: What the Trend Means
IRCC conducts dedicated French-language draws through the Express Entry system. These draws are limited to candidates who meet a minimum French proficiency threshold and have submitted a profile to the French-category pool. Key facts about French draws in 2024–2025:
- ›IRCC has conducted multiple dedicated French-language category draws
- ›These draws typically have lower minimum CRS cutoffs than all-program draws
- ›Candidates with French CLB 7+ who are not competitive in all-program draws may be invited through French-category draws at lower CRS scores
The implication: French proficiency at CLB 7 or higher doesn't just add CRS points — it also opens access to a draw pool with potentially lower score thresholds. A candidate with French CLB 7 and a total CRS score of 430 may receive an ITA through a French-language draw that requires 420, while not qualifying in an all-program draw that requires 500.
Which English Test for the Bilingual Bonus?
To claim the bilingual bonus, your English must be tested with an IRCC-approved language test. Accepted tests for English as a second official language in Express Entry include IELTS, CELPIP, and PTE Core .
The CLB 9 English threshold for the 50-point bonus requires IELTS scores of approximately 7.5+ in each skill, or equivalent scores on CELPIP or PTE Core . If your English is strong but you've never tested it formally, taking an English test to claim the bilingual bonus can be the highest single ROI activity in your entire Express Entry preparation.
FAQ
Do I have to declare French as my first official language? You declare your first official language when you create your Express Entry profile. IRCC determines which language earns "first official language" points — it's not simply whichever you scored higher on. The rules about how IRCC assigns first and second official language status depend on your program and profile . If you have both French and English test results, submit both and allow IRCC to apply the higher-scoring one as first official language per their rules.
Does CLB 10 earn more CRS points than CLB 9 in French? No. For language CRS points purposes, CLB 9 and CLB 10+ earn the same number of points (16 per skill, 64 total) . Improving from CLB 9 to CLB 10 in French does not increase your standard language points. The benefit of CLB 10 is eligibility for additional programs and potentially stronger job offer points, not higher language CRS points.
How long are French language test results valid for Express Entry? Both TEF Canada and TCF Canada results are valid for 2 years . Your results must be valid when IRCC processes your application. If your results expire before you receive an ITA, you'll need to retest.
Can I score French as my second official language if English is my first? Yes. If English is your first official language, you can claim French as a second official language if you have an approved French test result (TEF Canada or TCF Canada). You'd earn second official language points for French (4–24 points depending on CLB level) but would not qualify for the French-language bilingual bonus .
Is the French bonus worth it if I'm only at CLB 7? Yes. At French CLB 7 with English CLB 9+, you earn 24 standard French points + 50 bonus points = 74 CRS points from language. This is more than the 64 points a candidate with French CLB 9 and no English earns. The bilingual bonus for CLB 7 French + CLB 9+ English (74 total) exceeds the standard points for CLB 9 French alone (64 total). If you have strong English, achieving French CLB 7 and claiming the 50-point bonus is a higher-yield strategy than achieving French CLB 9 without the bonus.
Want to know exactly which TEF or TCF Canada scores you need to maximize your CRS points? Use the Ace the Score CLB calculator — enter your current scores and see exactly which CLB level you're at and how many CRS points you'd earn. [Calculate your score →]