Considering a move to Canada but worried about your low CRS score? Don’t be discouraged. Proficiency in French can significantly boost your chances of realizing your ‘Canadian dream.’ French, being one of Canada’s two official languages alongside English, is integral to its cultural and economic scene due to the presence of numerous French-speaking communities. Interestingly, approximately 22% of the Canadian population speaks French.
Most French speakers in Canada reside in Quebec, with 84.1% of the province’s population speaking the language. Additionally, around 1 million French-speaking individuals live in other Canadian provinces and territories. In total, about 10.7 million Canadians have proficiency in French.
The importance of the French language in Canada is substantial as the country values and supports bilingualism. Federal institutions are bilingual, reflecting this commitment. Implemented in 1969, the Official Languages Act was designed to uphold respect for both English and French as Canada’s official languages. Canada boasts more than 3,000 French-language primary and secondary schools, around 75 colleges, and nearly 30 universities that operate in French.
Earn Up to 50 Extra CRS Points with French Skills
Boost your Express Entry profile by gaining up to 50 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points when you reach NCLC level 7 or higher in each of the four French language abilities. This incentive aims to encourage French-speaking immigrants to settle outside of Quebec, enhancing Canada’s bilingual culture:
- Earn 25 points if your English proficiency is CLB level 4 or below, or if you haven’t taken an English exam.
- Gain 50 points if your English proficiency is CLB level 5 or above across all four language components.
Even if French is your second language, these additional points offer a valuable opportunity to enhance your CRS score and increase your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency.
Opportunity for Candidates with Low CRS Scores
For those with lower CRS scores, there is good news: the cut-off for French-speaking categories in recent draws has ranged from 336-444. This presents a significant chance to improve your French-speaking skills and expedite your pathway to Canadian permanent residency.
Benefits of Canadian Permanent Residency for Francophones
As a French-speaking immigrant settling in Canada outside of Quebec, you gain access to job prospects in both French and English. You can also engage in educational opportunities and take advantage of services provided in both languages. Mastery of French can open the door to high-demand positions within the Canadian government, which requires bilingual service offerings, as well as roles in provincial governments.
Moreover, under Bill C-13, all federally regulated private businesses must offer French as a service option. For those considering a career in education, there is a high demand for French teachers across Canada, particularly in French immersion schools. Additionally, Canada’s tourism sector is geared towards serving French-speaking visitors globally.
If you decide to reside in one of Canada’s Francophone communities, you can also enroll in free English courses. These communities offer a range of services, including healthcare, daycare, and integration support, all provided in French. This seamless support system helps you feel part of the community from day one, making cultural integration smoother as you interact with fellow French speakers.
Canada is home to 14 Francophone communities that assist French-speaking newcomers in settling and creating new lives. These communities include:
- Évangéline region (Prince Edward Island)
- Clare (Nova Scotia)
- Haut-Saint-Jean region (New Brunswick)
- Labrador City-Wabush (Newfoundland and Labrador)
- Hawkesbury (Eastern Ontario), Sudbury (Northern Ontario)
- Hamilton (Southwest Central Ontario) and more.
PL Immigration is here to support you through the immigration process, ensuring you maximize all available opportunities as you embark on your Canadian journey.
Pathways for French-Speaking Applicants to Immigrate to Canada
PL Immigration offers a range of opportunities for French-speaking individuals looking to work and settle in Canada, excluding Quebec. These pathways provide both temporary and permanent residency options and include the following:
- Express Entry for French Language Speakers Express Entry is an efficient online system for candidates aspiring to move to Canada permanently. It gets easier if you’re a French speaker. Candidates need to meet specific program criteria to enter the pool and are ranked based on points awarded for factors like skills and experience. A remarkable opportunity for French-speaking candidates arises from the Express Entry’s category-based draws, where French language proficiency is a distinct category in 2024. Recent draw trends have shown lower CRS scores, making it appealing for French-speaking candidates to apply.
- Francophone Mobility Work Permit This work permit is a great option for French-speaking temporary workers. It allows obtaining a work permit without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for qualifying positions in regions outside Quebec. Eligibility for this permit requires living and working in one of Canada’s nine provinces or territories outside Quebec. Applicants must demonstrate intermediate-level proficiency in French, equivalent to NCLC level 5 or higher, and possess a job offer in most TEER categories of the NOC system, except primary agriculture positions classified under TEER 4 or 5.
- New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program’s Strategic Initiative Stream is a solid pathway for skilled French-speaking individuals wishing to settle in Canada. This stream targets candidates who can contribute to New Brunswick’s economic development through their skills and experience. Applicants need to demonstrate French proficiency, intend to live in New Brunswick, possess at least a Canadian secondary education or equivalent, and establish a meaningful connection to the province, such as a job offer or exploratory visit. For further details, consult the official program guide.
- Ontario French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream Part of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), this stream provides an advantageous route for French-speaking skilled workers. It is suitable for individuals fluent in both French and English seeking permanent residency in Ontario. Eligibility requires adherence to the general criteria of the OINP, including language requirements of a minimum NCLC Level 7 in French and CLB Level 6 in English. This stream selects candidates from the Express Entry pool who show potential to enhance Ontario’s workforce.
- Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream The Nova Scotia Nominee Program includes a targeted stream for French-speaking individuals wanting to move to Canada. Focused on candidates in high-demand professions or proficient in French, it offers a 600-point increase in Express Entry profiles, greatly enhancing their chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. With a rich Francophone community and cultural heritage, Nova Scotia is an inviting option for French-speaking immigrants.
- Quebec Experience Program This program facilitates permanent residency for foreign students who graduated from Quebec institutions or temporary foreign workers in Quebec. Graduates need to possess spoken French proficiency at level 7 and written proficiency at level 5, while temporary workers need level 7 spoken proficiency.
As you consider your Canadian immigration journey, focusing on French proficiency can be a strategic advantage, especially in the context of possible changes to immigration targets for 2025-2027. Enhance your French language skills today to take full advantage of these pathways.
