How to choose your first official language in Express Entry

The difference is especially noticeable at high levels

Without an accompanying spouse or partner, CRS awards for each first language skill:

• CLB/NCLC 4–5: 6 credits;
• 6: 9 points;
• 7: 17 points;
• 8: 23 points;
• 9: 31 points;
• 10+: 34 points.

With accompanying spouse or partner:

• CLB/NCLC 4–5: 6;
• 6: 8;
• 7: 16;
• 8: 22;
• 9: 29;
• 10+: 32.

Therefore, the difference between NCLC/CLB 7, 8 and 9 in the first language can be very significant.

A second language is useful, but its ceiling is much lower

For each skill in a second official language, CRS awards:

• CLB/NCLC 4 or lower: 0;
• 5–6: 1;
• 7–8: 3;
• 9+: 6.

But the general maximum applies:

• 24 points without an accompanying spouse or partner;
• 22 points with an accompanying spouse or partner.

Therefore, a strong language that comes in second may only contribute a small portion of its potential weight in the main CRS scores.

The level of French and other conditions of the round are important for the category

The French proficiency category requires a minimum of NCLC 7 in all four French skills.

In this case, the candidate must:

• qualify for at least one Express Entry program;
• be in the Express Entry pool - a general group of candidates with valid profiles;
• meet the requirements of a specific round for a category.

IRCC does not make participation in the French-speaking category conditional on the mandatory choice of French as the first official language.

Therefore you can have:

• English is the first official language;
• French is the second official language;
• NCLC 7+ in French;
• and at the same time meet the conditions of the category for French-speaking candidates.

It's not always a contradiction

For example:

• French helps fulfill a specific program requirement;
• English may be stronger and provide more CRS as the first official language.

Or vice versa.

Before creating a profile, it is useful to check two questions separately:

1. what language you use to meet the minimum language requirement of the program;
2. which language is more profitable to make the first official language for CRS.

For FSWs, these issues are more closely related because the first official language is considered in a separate 67-point FSW selection system.

There is no real choice between first and second yet

If you have a valid result only in English or only in French, the second language is not yet included in the calculation.

The question of “which language to rank first” becomes really important when you have valid results in both official languages.

Both results must remain valid

Less than two years must have passed from the date of receipt of each language result:

• when filling out your profile;
• on the date of submission of the application for permanent residence after receiving an invitation (ITA).

If you use two languages, keep an eye on the due date on both tests.

If one result expires:

• CRS may change;
• the script of the first and second language may change;
• French extra credit may change;
• the category for French-speaking candidates may become unavailable;
• the FSW selection factor may change.

Recalculate your profile completely

After the new test, check:

• core first language scores;
• second language scores;
• combination of language with education and experience;
• extra points for French;
• FSW selection factors;
• selection by category;
• Which language is now more logical to put first.

One language change can affect multiple parts of Express Entry at the same time.

Its language counts separately from your first and second language choices

If the accompanying spouse or non-married partner has a language test, the result may result in up to 20 CRS points for spouse or partner factors.

This is a separate section of the CRS.

The choice of the first and second official language applies to the main applicant.

The language of the spouse or partner is assessed separately.

A separate calculation is especially useful if:

• French and English are close in level;
• French is stronger in terms of skills, and English in others;
• your result according to the 67-point FSW system is near the passing value;
• NCLC 7+ already allows French-speaking candidates to be considered;
• you are looking at 25 or 50 extra points for French;
• your spouse or partner also has a language test result;
• one of the tests is about to expire;
• you are planning a retake;
• a small difference in CRS can be significant for you.

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