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Free tool · Language requirements
Most Express Entry programs need NCLC/CLB 7 in all four skills, CEC jobs in TEER 2–3 and most pilots need 5, and citizenship needs 4 in speaking and listening only. Pick your goals, add your levels, and see exactly where you stand.
Don't know your levels yet? Take the free level test
You already meet the language minimum for 10 open program options.
Closest next: Rural (RCIP) · TEER 0–1: +1 Writing
You meet: CEC · TEER 2–3, FST, Citizenship, Mobilité francophone, FCIP, Atlantic (AIP) · TEER 0–3, Atlantic (AIP) · TEER 4, Rural (RCIP) · TEER 2–3, Rural (RCIP) · TEER 4–5, NB Strategic Initiative.
Your closest next goals
Open federal and provincial programs, closest first. Tap one to see its details below. Quebec uses its own scale and is left out of this ranking.
4 levels to go
MinimumListening: NCLC 7Speaking: NCLC 7Reading: NCLC 7Writing: NCLC 7
Minimum for your first official language. A second official language at 5+ in all four adds FSW selection points.
4 levels to go
MinimumListening: NCLC 7Speaking: NCLC 7Reading: NCLC 7Writing: NCLC 7
The minimum depends on the TEER category of your Canadian work experience.
4 levels to go
MinimumListening: NCLC 7Speaking: NCLC 7Reading: NCLC 7Writing: NCLC 7
French test results with NCLC 7 in all four, plus the rules of each round.
Meets the minimum
MinimumListening: NCLC 4Speaking: NCLC 4Reading, Writing: not assessed
Ages 18–54 only. On TCF and TEF, IRCC looks for B1 or higher in listening and speaking (TCF speaking: at least 6/20).
Aim for these levels. They are the highest minimum per skill across your goals.
Last verified Oct 6, 2026Sources:IRCC: Express Entry language tests(opens in a new tab)IRCC: category-based selection(opens in a new tab)IRCC: citizenship language proof(opens in a new tab)IRCC: Francophone Mobility(opens in a new tab)IRCC: AIP, RCIP and FCIP language tests(opens in a new tab)Quebec: PSTQ requirements(opens in a new tab)Ontario: 2026 OINP updates(opens in a new tab)
Independent tool, not affiliated with IRCC. Confirm on canada.ca before you apply.
Reference
Minimum CLB/NCLC level per skill. A dash means the skill isn't assessed. Levels are the same scale in English (CLB) and French (NCLC).
| Program | Listening | Speaking | Reading | Writing | Tests | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | English or French | Open |
| Express Entry: Canadian Experience ClassTEER 0–1 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | English or French | Open |
| TEER 2–3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | English or French | Open |
| Express Entry: Federal Skilled Trades | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | English or French | Open |
| Express Entry: French-language category draws | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | French only | Open |
| Express Entry: French bonus CRS points | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | French only | Open |
| Canadian citizenship | 4 | 4 | – | – | English or French | Open |
| Francophone Mobility work permit | 5 | 5 | – | – | French only | Open |
| Francophone Community Immigration Pilot | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | French only | Open |
| Atlantic Immigration ProgramTEER 0–3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | English or French | Open |
| TEER 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | English or French | Open |
| Rural Community Immigration PilotTEER 0–1 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | English or French | Open |
| TEER 2–3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | English or French | Open |
| TEER 4–5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | English or French | Open |
| New Brunswick Strategic Initiative (francophone) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | French only | Open |
| Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ)Stream 1 (highly qualified) | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | French only | Open |
| Stream 2 (intermediate/manual) | 5 | 5 | – | – | French only | Open |
| Ontario French-Speaking Skilled Worker (OINP) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | French + English | Closed |
| Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | English or French | Closed |
| Start-up Visa | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | English or French | Closed |
| Agri-Food Pilot | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | English or French | Closed |
Quebec levels use the Échelle québécoise, not NCLC. Closed programs are kept for reference so you can compare.
How it works
Each program sets its own minimum. Express Entry FSW asks for 7 in all four skills, Federal Skilled Trades for 5 and 4, citizenship for 4 in speaking and listening only.
CEC, the Atlantic program and the rural pilot set a higher bar for TEER 0–1 jobs than for TEER 4–5 jobs. Pick your TEER in the tool to see the right line.
Minimums apply to every assessed skill separately. NCLC 9 in reading does not make up for NCLC 6 in writing, so the skill furthest from the line is the one to train.
Worked examples
Illustrative profiles, not real people.
NCLC 6 listening, 6 speaking, 7 reading, 5 writing. She already meets CEC (TEER 2–3 needs 5). French draws need 7 everywhere, so writing is her biggest gap (+2).
Check category drawsListening 5, speaking 4. NCLC 4 meets the general rule, but on the TCF Canada IRCC asks for B1 in speaking, which is 6/20, so he aims one level higher to be safe.
Count your daysNCLC 5 in all four. That meets the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot and the Francophone Mobility work permit today. Reaching 7 everywhere would open French draws too.
See French PNP streamsTCF Canada and TEF Canada results are turned into NCLC levels with IRCC's tables. For Express Entry, TEF Canada uses the "Équivalence ancien score" column, never the score out of 699. If you only have raw scores, convert them first.
FAQ
The free level test estimates your listening, reading and speaking level, and this page then fills in with your real gaps. Next, a full mock test confirms it.
Find my French levelFree. About 7 minutes. No account needed.