If you're a French speaker dreaming about starting a new chapter in Canada, you're in luck — and you’re more in demand than ever! Thanks to Canada's commitment to bilingualism and Ontario's vibrant French-speaking communities, there are two major immigration pathways where your French skills can really give you an edge: the Federal Express Entry Program and Ontario’s Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream.
Let’s walk through how each program works — and how being a French speaker can boost your chances.
1. The Federal Express Entry Program: Strong French Skills, Stronger Chances
Who can apply?
To be eligible under the Express Entry system, you need to qualify for one of these federal programs:
Federal Skilled Worker Program
Federal Skilled Trades Program
Canadian Experience Class
If you meet the criteria, you can create an Express Entry profile. Based on your profile, you'll get a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score — and here’s where it gets exciting for French speakers.
Extra points for French proficiency
If you can show strong French skills (even if French is your second language), you can earn up to 50 additional CRS points!
Here’s how it works:
If you score NCLC 7 or higher in French (across all four skills) and CLB 4 or lower in English (or no English test): ➔ 25 extra points
If you score NCLC 7 or higher in French and CLB 5 or higher in English: ➔ 50 extra points
In fact, there’s even a dedicated French-language category under Express Entry now. Look at the numbers in 2025 as of today:
March 21: 7,500 invitations sent out (minimum CRS 379)
March 6: 4,500 invitations (CRS 410)
February 29: 6,500 invitations (CRS 428)
Clearly, French-speaking candidates are being prioritized more and more — and lower CRS scores mean greater chances for you!
2. Ontario’s Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream: A Provincial Pathway
If you have your sights set specifically on Ontario, there's another powerful option: the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) through the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream.
This stream lets Ontario nominate French-speaking candidates for permanent residence — and once you’re nominated, you get a 600-point bonus added to your Express Entry profile. That’s a guaranteed invitation!
Work Experience Requirements
You must decide if you want to be assessed under:
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): at least 1 year of continuous paid full-time work (or equivalent part-time) in the past 5 years, in NOC categories 0, 1, 2, or 3.
OR the Canadian Experience Class (CEC): at least 1 year of cumulative full-time work experience in Canada within the past 3 years.
Self-employment counts under FSWP (with strict proof). For CEC, only doctors in specific NOC codes can use self-employed experience.
Important:
Volunteer work and unpaid internships don’t count.
Your work must meet the 1,560-hour requirement.
Education
You need a Canadian degree or an equivalent foreign credential.
Note: Nurses registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario have special rules and may not need to meet this requirement if their NOC falls under specific codes.
Intention to Live in Ontario
You must show ties to Ontario — for example:
Working (or having worked) in Ontario
Job offers, job interviews
Studying, volunteering
Leasing or owning property
Family or personal connections
Legal Status (If applying from inside Canada)
If you’re already in Canada, you must have valid status (like a visitor record, work permit, or study permit) at the time of applying and maintain it throughout.
What Are the Key Differences Between the Two Pathways?
While both pathways reward strong French skills, here’s how they mainly differ:
Federal Express Entry Program:
Broader competition: You compete with candidates across all of Canada.
Additional CRS points: Strong French skills can earn you up to 50 additional CRS points, boosting your chances of receiving an invitation to apply (either through regular or French-speaking draws).
No guaranteed nomination: Invitations are based on your total CRS score and the cut-off for each draw, meaning there's no guarantee of receiving an invitation unless your score is high enough.
Ontario’s French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream:
Targeted selection: Ontario actively selects and nominates French-speaking candidates who meet the eligibility criteria.
Guaranteed invitation with nomination: If you receive a nomination, you will get an automatic 600 additional CRS points, virtually guaranteeing an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
Focused on Ontario: This stream is specifically designed for individuals who intend to live and work in Ontario after becoming a permanent resident.
In short, Express Entry offers broader competition with national opportunities, while Ontario’s French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream provides a more focused pathway and potentially a faster route to permanent residence, especially if you're aiming to settle in Ontario.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
If you're excited about the opportunities but not sure where to begin, I'm here to help! Whether you need guidance on creating your Express Entry profile, preparing for a French language test, understanding which pathway suits you best, applying for a WORK PERMIT as a francophone, or having a representative manage your entire application, feel free to reach out. We’ll walk you through each step so you can move forward with confidence.
📩 Contact us today to start turning your Canadian dream into a reality!
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