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. 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 enhance your chances of immigrating to Canada. 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 Prioritzes 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.

In line 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.

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.

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.

What are the other Canadian immigration programs for French speakers?

Quebec certainly offers a number of immigration pathways for people with French ability.

French speakers destined for Quebec might want to check their eligibility for some of these popular programs:

• Quebec Skilled Worker Program
• Quebec Experience Program

Outside of Quebec, there are a number of immigration programs under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) that are tailored to French speakers. Some of these programs use an application management system that’s managed by the province.

New Brunswick for example launched the New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream dedicated exclusively to French speakers who have the skills and work experience to contribute to New Brunswick’s economy. French speakers should also have a look at the Northwest Territories Francophone Stream.

Other PNPs pull candidates from the Express Entry pool. Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination from a PNP get an automatic 600 CRS points added to their overall score. This award is more than enough to be invited in an Express Entry draw.

For instance, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) offers a dedicated pathway called the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream (FSSWS). It is open to Express Entry candidates who have at least an NCLC 7 in French and a CLB 6 in English. Eligible candidates also need to meet the eligibility criteria for the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class, list “Ontario” as their destination province, and provide proof of adequate settlement funds.

In addition to the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream (FSSWS), Ontario also gives extra points to bilingual French and English speakers in its Employer Job Offer and Graduate streams.

Ontario is the most popular destination province for new immigrants and it also has a large French population. About 11 percent of Ontario’s population speaks French, according to the 2021 Census.

Other provinces may also hold draws targeting French-speaking candidates in their existing programs. Learn more about Canada’s PNPs.

Territories also put effort into attracting French speakers, with the Northwest Territories Francophone Stream for example.

In 2024 will also be launched a new Francophone Community Immigration pilot to support IRCC’s commitment to welcome more French speakers outside of Quebec with the goal of accepting a maximum of 2,750 applications per year for the next five years at least.

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).

What are some benefits of speaking French in Canada?

There are a number of economic opportunities for French speakers in Canada. If you speak both English and French, that can be helpful for you on any job application.

For instance, having French language skills can help you secure sought-after jobs with the Government of Canada, which is required to provide services in both official languages, as well as some provincial governments. Plus, the law enacted under Bill C-13 requires federally-regulated private businesses to offer service options in French.

Also keep in mind, if you want to teach French in Canada there are a number of opportunities throughout the country as Canada offers French immersion schools that teach children in French.

While we can’t get into all the economic opportunities that having French skills can provide in Canada, it is worth mentioning that the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation offers media job opportunities in French from coast to coast to coast.

And those examples aren’t even touching on the tourism industry in Canada that caters to French speakers around the world.

The value of speaking French in Canada extends beyond just economic opportunities. It not only helps you build a successful career path but connects you to the entire community of francophones across the nation.

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.

Getting advice and support with StartRight™

Our sponsor Scotiabank offers banking services in a number of languages, including French.

Not only that, as a newcomer you can earn up to $1,800* in value the first year with the Scotiabank StartRight® Program‡

Book an appointment to speak with a Scotiabank representative to discuss your banking options.

Book an online appointment here.

‡ Scotiabank StartRight® Program is available only for Canadian Permanent Residents from 0-5 years in Canada and Foreign Workers.

* Value of up to $1,800 is calculated as follows: i) up to $583.30 first year value with the StartRight Program + ii) Up to $1,237 in Preferred Package and Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite welcome offer and first year point earn potential:

1. Value of up to $583.30 is an annual potential value for the first year based on the following benefits and savings available to StartRightTM customers as of November 1, 2023:
   • $203.40 in account fee savings for a Preferred Package chequing account ($16.95 monthly account fee waived for first 12 months);
     
     
   • $280 in fee savings when compared to in-branch Swift Wire Transfers (assumes an annual average of 7 in-branch Swift Wire Transfers at $40 per transfer);
     
     
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   Actual value will depend on individual usage of the StartRight™ Program features and products
   Conditions apply. All products and features are subject to change.

2. Value of up to $1,237 in Scotiabank welcome offers and first year point earn potential includes the following offers as of November 1, 2023:
   • $550 ($350 cash offer for new Preferred Package customers + $50 when you open a new TFSA or RRSP & set up a pre authorized contribution + $150 when you deposit $3,000 into a new registered plan);
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   • $287 in first year point earn potential (28,733 Scene+ points) on everyday purchases based on average annual first year spend per account with an average spend of 19% in 2x accelerator categories.

Actual offers and rewards earned will depend on individual card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.

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