How French Can Help You Immigrate to Canada

Canada is a bilingual country, and proficiency in French can be your key to unlocking a range of both permanent and temporary immigration opportunities — as well as all of the other good stuff that comes from speaking additional national languages (like access to different communities, cultural integration, job opportunities, and so much more).

Whether you’re aiming to boost your Express Entry CRS score, qualify for work programs tailored to French-speaking or bilingual candidates, or settle in vibrant Francophone communities outside Quebec, speaking French provides a distinct advantage.

In this guide, we’ll explore how French language skills can improve your chances of immigrating to Canada — in some cases it opens entirely new doors.

From increasing your eligibility for specific immigration pathways to improving your overall competitiveness, mastering French isn’t just a skill—it’s a strategic move toward making Canada your home. Let’s dive into how French can help you achieve your Canadian dream.

Canada Prioritizes Entry for French Speakers

Canada is placing an increasing emphasis on attracting French-speaking immigrants as part of its broader efforts to enhance linguistic diversity and strengthen Francophone communities outside Quebec.

Just as we saw with IRCC’s 2024 Policy on Francophone Immigration, the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan sets ambitious targets for French-speaking permanent resident admissions outside Quebec, aiming for 8.5% (29,325 people) in 2025, 9.5% (31,350 people) in 2026, and 10% (31,500) in 2027. These figures represent a significant increase compared to the 2024–2026 Levels Plan, which targeted 6.3% in 2025 and 7.4% in 2026.

In other words, candidates who speak intermediate level French are likely to receive preferential treatment in immigration for the next few years.

Let’s take a look at some Immigration programs French speakers may benefit from:

How French Can Help You Immigrate to Canada Through Express Entry

French language skills can significantly boost your chances of immigrating to Canada via Express Entry. Not only do they earn you extra Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points in regular draws, but they also qualify you for French-specific category-based draws, which often have lower points thresholds.

That being said, competition is starting to heat up in the French category. The comprehensive ranking system (CRS) score in recent French category-based rounds has been creeping up, and they look like they may stay higher in 2025 compared to 2024.

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is Canada’s online system for managing skilled worker immigration. It includes three programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Trades (FST)

Candidates earn CRS points based on factors like language ability, skilled work experience, education, and age. Proficiency in English, French, or both is a key requirement.

How French Helps You Score CRS Points

You can earn CRS points for official language proficiency starting at level 4 of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) for English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) for French.

• First Official Language: Up to 32 points (single) or 34 points (with a spouse) per tested area.
• Second Official Language: Up to 6 points per tested area.
• French Language Bonus: Up to 50 additional points.

To get the French language bonus, you must score at least NCLC 7 in all four French competencies. If you also score CLB 5 or higher in English, you qualify for the full 50 points. Lower English scores (CLB 4 or below) or no English test result still earn you 25 points.

These points can enhance your overall ranking and qualify you for French-specific category draws, creating a valuable pathway to Canadian permanent residency.

Express Entry French Category-Based Draws

Canada conducts category-based Express Entry draws for candidates with at least an NCLC 7 in French.

These draws typically have lower CRS cut-off scores because candidates are only competing within the French-speaking applicants in the pool, rather than the entire pool. Additionally, larger invitation rounds often result in lower CRS thresholds.

In 2024, 23,000 invitations were issued to applicants with French language proficiency. The lowest CRS cut-off for a French language draw was 336, recorded on February 29. However, as competition among French-speaking candidates increased, the CRS cut-off rose to 478 by the end of 2024. Given the tightening of other immigration measures, we expect the French-speaking category to remain competitive in 2025.

We expect around 25,000 Express Entry invitations to be issued to applicants with French language ability in 2025.

Other Canadian Immigration Programs for French Speakers

Quebec Immigration Pathways

Quebec offers multiple immigration options for individuals with strong French language skills. If you plan to settle in Quebec, you may be eligible for one of the following programs:

• Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program – A points-based system for skilled workers who wish to immigrate to Quebec.
• Quebec Experience Program – A fast-track option for individuals with Quebec work or study experience.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) for French Speakers

Outside of Quebec, several provinces and territories have immigration pathways tailored to French-speaking candidates through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Some of these programs manage applications directly, while others select candidates from the Express Entry pool.

• New Brunswick: The New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream is designed exclusively for French-speaking candidates with the skills and work experience needed to support the province’s economy. (This is currently paused.)
• Northwest Territories: The Northwest Territories Francophone Stream actively welcomes French-speaking applicants who have job offer from an employer within the territory.
• Ontario:  The French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream (FSSWS) is open to Express Entry candidates who have at least an NCLC 7 in French and a CLB 6 in English.

In addition to the FSSWS, Ontario also gives extra points to bilingual French and English speakers in its Employer Job Offer and Graduate streams.

The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot

Launched on January 30th, 2025,  the Francophone Community Immigration pilot aims to support IRCC’s commitment to welcome more French speakers outside of Quebec. To be eligible for permanent residency under this program, applicants need to demonstrate a basic level of French ability (CLB level 5 in all 4 areas) and have a job offer from a designated employer in a participating community.

Temporary options for French speakers in Canada

French speakers working outside Quebec are considered a “significant benefit” to Canadian culture. For that reason, Canada created the Francophone Mobility Program, which allows Canadian employers to hire foreign French speakers more easily.

Canadian employers who hire workers who qualify for the Francophone Mobility Program get to skip the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process. This can be a highly attractive reason to hire a French speaker as the LMIA process is known to be long, expensive, and unpredictable for employers.

To be eligible as a candidate, you need an eligible Canadian job offer outside of Quebec (any occupation other than primary agriculture occupations). You need to speak French at an NCLC level 5 or higher. Plus, you need to meet the general eligibility requirements of all work permit applicants.

With the work experience you get in Canada, you can use it to open the doors to immigration programs such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and some Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

Beyond Immigration: Additional Benefits of Speaking French in Canada

While French proficiency can significantly enhance your chances of immigrating to Canada, it also offers numerous advantages, some of which are listed below:

Career Opportunities:

French proficiency opens doors to government jobs, where bilingualism is often required for federal and provincial positions, offering stability and competitive salaries. In the private sector, many companies seek bilingual employees for roles in customer service, sales, and management, particularly those operating nationally or internationally. Bilingual professionals in fields like healthcare, law, and education also enjoy higher earning potential due to increased demand.

Social & Cultural Integration:

Being bilingual helps you connect with Francophone communities in provinces like Ontario, Manitoba, and Alberta, fostering new friendships and professional relationships. It also provides cultural enrichment, allowing access to French-language media, music, literature, and film, enhancing your overall experience in Canada. Additionally, many cities host Francophone associations, cultural centers, and festivals, offering opportunities to engage in social and cultural activities.

Travel and Global Opportunities:

Speaking French makes travel easier in Quebec, Francophone communities across Canada, and French-speaking countries worldwide.

What to do if you don’t speak French – our advice

Learning and proving French to an intermediate-or-better level is the most straightforward way to navigate EE. IRCC’s Commitment to pushing French immigration is a multi- year commitment, to 2028. By starting French now, in a year’s time, you could acquire sufficient proficiency to benefit from the Francophone initiative but it will become more and more competitive.

Consider this: If you commit to learning French to the point of reaching a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of at least 7 over the next year, you could benefit from arguably the lowest CRS scores to entry. As daunting as learning French can be for some (quite understandable), keep in mind that a CLB level of 7 is considered an “Adequate Intermediate” proficiency. In other words, you would be required to understand formal and informal conversations.

How?

Consider taking lessons with Focus Frame French. Check out the block below for more details.