NCLC 5 vs NCLC 7: French Language Levels for Canada Immigration

If you’re learning French for Canada immigration, you’ll see “NCLC” everywhere. It shows up in program eligibility, Express Entry profiles, and bonus points calculation. The part that trips people up is that NCLC is not one overall score—it’s four separate levels (listening, speaking, reading, writing). For most immigration pathways, your lowest skill is the one that matters.

This guide explains what NCLC means, how NCLC 5 and NCLC 7 affect your options, and how to convert TEF/TCF results into NCLC using official IRCC tables.

What is NCLC and why does IRCC use it?

NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) is the standard IRCC uses to measure French ability, similar to CLB for English. In Express Entry, you must prove language ability with an approved test, and IRCC evaluates the result as an NCLC (French) or CLB (English) level for each of the 4 abilities. You can see how IRCC applies minimum levels “for all 4 abilities” on the official language test equivalency charts.

The key rule: you don’t “average” NCLC

Immigration requirements are usually written as “minimum level for all 4 abilities.” That means you need to meet the threshold in each skill (listening, speaking, reading, writing). If you hit NCLC 7 in three skills but NCLC 6 in one, you do not meet “NCLC 7 in all 4 abilities.” IRCC states this structure directly in its Express Entry language requirements.

NCLC 5 vs NCLC 7: the practical difference

Think of NCLC 5 as “meets the bar for some pathways and some occupations,” while NCLC 7 is “opens more doors and adds major scoring advantages.” The biggest differences show up in:

• Eligibility for certain Express Entry programs or occupation levels
• Additional CRS points for strong French skills
• Competitiveness (higher language levels generally raise your points and your chances)

Where NCLC 5 can be enough

NCLC 5 is important because it’s the minimum language level in several real situations:

1) Canadian Experience Class for some occupations (Express Entry)

For the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the minimum language level depends on your job’s TEER category. IRCC lists:

• TEER 0 or 1: minimum NCLC 7 (if French is the language you’re submitting)
• TEER 2 or 3: minimum NCLC 5

You can confirm these thresholds on the official CEC language requirements page.

2) Second official language minimum (Federal Skilled Worker Program)

In Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), IRCC sets a minimum for your first official language (English or French), and a separate minimum if you’re claiming a second official language. IRCC states that for a second official language, the minimum is CLB or NCLC 5 to gain points.

3) Francophone Community Immigration Pilot

For the new Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP), IRCC states that you need NCLC 5 in all 4 abilities to be eligible. You can view this requirement under the language criteria for the pilot.

Where NCLC 7 becomes a game-changer

1) Federal Skilled Worker minimum (Express Entry)

For Federal Skilled Worker, IRCC lists the minimum for your first official language as NCLC 7 (if French is your first official language). If you’re aiming for FSW, NCLC 7 is not optional—it’s the entry ticket.

2) Canadian Experience Class for TEER 0 or 1 jobs

If your qualifying Canadian work experience is in TEER 0 or 1 (management or professional jobs), IRCC sets the minimum at NCLC 7 in all 4 abilities. This is shown in the Express Entry language charts.

3) Up to 50 CRS points for French

If you score NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills, you may qualify for additional CRS points. IRCC’s CRS rules state:

• 25 points if you have NCLC 7+ in all four French skills and your English is CLB 4 or lower (or you didn’t take an English test)
• 50 points if you have NCLC 7+ in all four French skills and your English is CLB 5 or higher in all four skills

These conditions appear in the CRS criteria breakdown.

NCLC 5 vs NCLC 7 at a glance

Official TEF and TCF to NCLC Conversion Tables

IRCC does not use your raw TEF/TCF numbers directly. It converts each skill to an NCLC level using official equivalency tables. A reliable place to view both TEF Canada and TCF Canada conversion tables (in one page) is IRCC’s language assessment page.

TEF Canada: NCLC 5 and NCLC 7 ranges (tests after December 10, 2023)

For TEF Canada, IRCC publishes different score ranges depending on when you took the test. For tests taken after December 10, 2023, the table shows:

• NCLC 7: Reading 434–461, Writing 428–471, Listening 434–461, Speaking 456–493
• NCLC 5: Reading 352–392, Writing 330–378, Listening 352–392, Speaking 387–421

If your TEF Canada test date is older, use the correct dated table on the same IRCC page because the ranges differ by test period: TEF Canada conversion tables.

TCF Canada: NCLC 5 and NCLC 7 ranges

On the same IRCC page, the TCF Canada table shows these examples:

• NCLC 7: Reading 453–498, Writing 10–11, Listening 458–502, Speaking 10–11
• NCLC 5: Reading 375–405, Writing 6, Listening 369–397, Speaking 6

Always convert each skill separately and write down your four NCLC results before you decide what to improve next.

How to set a realistic goal: should you stop at NCLC 5 or push to NCLC 7?

Use this decision logic:

1. If you need Federal Skilled Worker eligibility (French as first official language): you need NCLC 7 in all four abilities. Confirm the minimum on the language test results page.
2. If you’re applying under Canadian Experience Class: check your TEER category. TEER 2/3 can be NCLC 5; TEER 0/1 needs NCLC 7. Start with Who can apply.
3. If you want the French CRS bonus: NCLC 7 in all four is the requirement. See the CRS additional points breakdown.
4. If your plan is “French as a second language”: NCLC 5 can still matter (it is a stated minimum for second official language in FSW selection), but many candidates push higher to be more competitive.

A practical way to move from NCLC 5 to NCLC 7

NCLC 5 to NCLC 7 is usually less about learning “more grammar rules” and more about becoming reliable under test conditions: speed, accuracy, and organization. Here’s a simple, measurable approach you can run for 6–10 weeks (adjust to your timeline).

Step 1: Identify your “weakest skill” (your bottleneck)

Convert your last TEF/TCF scores to NCLC using the official conversion charts. Circle the lowest of your four NCLC results. That one skill determines whether you meet “NCLC 7 in all four.”

Step 2: Train in “test-sized” pieces, not endless study

• Listening: Do timed sets, then write a 3-line summary and list 5 key details you heard. Track your accuracy rate per set.
• Reading: Practice scanning for numbers, names, and cause/effect. Time each passage and record wrong answers by question type (detail, inference, vocabulary).
• Writing: Use a fixed structure (intro → 2 body paragraphs → conclusion). Aim for clear connectors (first, however, therefore) and clean sentence control. Rewrite the same task after feedback.
• Speaking: Record short answers daily. Score yourself on (1) clarity, (2) organization, (3) range of vocabulary, (4) self-correction. Your goal is fewer pauses and better structure—not perfection.

Step 3: Build consistency across all four skills

NCLC 7 requires you to be “good enough” everywhere. A common strategy is:

• Spend 60% of your time on the bottleneck skill until it reaches NCLC 7 in practice.
• Spend 40% maintaining your other three skills so none of them drop below the target.

Step 4: Use a “two-check” rule before booking your test date

Book confidently when both are true:

1. You can hit NCLC 7-equivalent performance twice in a row under timed conditions in each skill.
2. Your weakest skill is no longer the same every week (a sign you’re stabilizing across the board).

Common mistakes that cause avoidable setbacks

• Using the wrong TEF table: IRCC’s TEF Canada ranges depend on your test date. Always use the correct dated table on the official conversion page.
• Chasing one skill only: “NCLC 7 in all four” means you can’t ignore writing (or any other weak area) and hope the other scores compensate.
• Misunderstanding French bonus points: The extra CRS points require NCLC 7+ in all four French skills, and the total depends on your English results, as shown in the CRS additional points section.

Bottom line

NCLC 5 can be enough for specific situations (for example, Canadian Experience Class with TEER 2/3 or the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot), and it can serve as a meaningful stepping stone. But NCLC 7 is the level that unlocks more Express Entry options and can trigger the French-language CRS bonus—especially valuable if you’re building a bilingual profile.

Use IRCC’s program requirements on Who can apply, confirm thresholds on the language test results page, and convert your actual TEF/TCF scores with the official TEF/TCF NCLC tables.

Recommended Reading

• TEF Canada Guide (2025)
• TCF Canada Guide (2025)
• TEF vs TCF: Which should you choose?