If you need to increase your Canadian Express Entry score, there is one surefire and mostly underutilized method of achieving this by securing extra points for French language competence.
Since Canada seeks to advance bilingualism as well as gain French-speaking immigrants, applicants now have the capacity to acquire an extra 50 points for competent French skills within the Express Entry Canadian system. Here’s the way to use it to its fullest potential.
Why is French important in Express Entry?
Over the past few years, the Canadian Express Entry draw has become increasingly biased towards bilingual candidates. Under the Express Entry Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, or Federal Skilled Trades Program, demonstrating your French skills can provide a competitive advantage.
Based on the Canadian Express Entry calculator, the candidates can earn
- 25 points for scoring NCLC 7 (intermediate level) or above in all four French language skills and CLB 4 or below in English.
- 50 points for scoring NCLC 7 or above in French and CLB 5 or above in English.
How to Demonstrate Your French Language Skill?
To earn the French language points, you need to pass an accepted French test like
- TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français)
- TCFA Canada (Test de connaissance du français)
Ensure that your test scores are valid and meet the scoring requirements prior to updating your Express Entry profile.
Other Advantages of French Language Proficiency
Preference in some Alberta immigration streams and other provincial nominee streams. The new Alberta immigration streams have focused on bringing in Francophone candidates, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Open Work Permit and French Advantage
French-speaking applicants might also be eligible for certain open work permit Canada initiatives. For example, the Mobilité Francophone stream provides skilled French-speaking workers the chance to work in locations other than Quebec without an LMIA, simplifying the process of obtaining PR.
Tips to Maximize Your Express Entry Potential
- Enhance your profile by taking a French course and marrying language proficiency with other strengths such as Canadian education or work experience.
- Track Express Entry draw trends and apply the Canadian Express Entry calculator to strategically time and maximize your application.
Seek Expert Guidance
It may be confusing to deal with the intricacies of Express Entry and provincial programs. That is where professional assistance comes in. At Imperial Immigration, we provide consultation that is customized to your specific profile. Highly acclaimed as the top immigration advice in Edmonton, our experts monitor Alberta immigration news and guide you throughout your application process.
If you aspire to be a consultant yourself, taking an immigration consultant course in Alberta—either face-to-face or through an immigration consultant course online in Alberta—is an excellent career choice.
Final Thoughts
50 points for French in Express Entry Canadian applications can significantly enhance your possibility of getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA). With the proper approach and guidance from Imperial Immigration, you can open doors to new possibilities and relocate to Canada confidently.