Why French?
The Government wants more immigrants with French ability to settle outside the province of Quebec (which has its own immigration system and already boasts a majority French-speaking population).
“Supporting the development of Francophone minority communities outside of Quebec is part of this government’s plan for economic growth and long-term prosperity throughout the country. It is also the right thing to do to help support Francophone communities right across Canada.” – Marco Mendicino, Canada’s Minister of Immigration and head of IRCC
The IRCC news release adds that while French-speaking immigration to Canada outside Quebec has been increasing, existing selection tools will not be sufficient to reach the Government target of 4.4% by 2023. Awarding additional points to candidates with strong French language skills via Express Entry could help the Government reach that target.
How can I get additional points for French in Express Entry?
In order to claim points for French-language proficiency through Express Entry, you have to take an approved language test for Canadian immigration. Currently, there are two French-language tests approved for this purpose:
These tests are offered around the world, so you don’t need to be in Canada to prove French ability.
I don’t think learning French is an option. How else can I increase my CRS score?
There are many different ways to improve your CRS score. Some can be quite simple, while others, like learning French, require long-term planning. Thankfully, we’ve compiled all the various ways in our guide to improving your CRS score.
Now, if you come to realize that Express Entry just isn’t a viable immigration option for you, it may be time to consider your other options. We recommend looking through these popular immigration alternatives to Express Entry.