TCF Canada or IELTS, which one should you take for Express Entry, or both?
Checked November 3, 2026
Take the test in your stronger language first, because it becomes your first official language and is worth up to 34 points per ability without a spouse. The second language is worth at most 6 points per ability. Taking both often pays the most. With NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities and CLB 5 or higher in English, you get a 50-point bonus, against 25 with no English. Only a French test opens the French-language draws.
IRCC accepts both tests for Express Entry. TCF Canada measures your French, IELTS General Training your English. So the question is not which one is easier but which language to put first and whether a second test is worth its price. TCF Canada costs from a few hundred to over 500 dollars depending on the country, see TCF Canada price. The points below come from the IRCC CRS grid, for a candidate without a spouse. The changes announced from November 3, 2026 are about Canadian work experience and job offers, not language points.
First or second official language
In your application, you choose which language is your first official language. It counts for far more than the second.
| Level per ability | First language, no spouse | Second language |
|---|---|---|
| NCLC or CLB 4 | 6 | 0 |
| 5 | 6 | 1 |
| 6 | 9 | 1 |
| 7 | 17 | 3 |
| 8 | 23 | 3 |
| 9 | 31 | 6 |
| 10 and up | 34 | 6 |
The second language is capped at 24 points without a spouse, 22 with one. So put first the language where your level is highest. The first language also counts in the skill transferability points, combined with your education or foreign work experience, with steps at level 7 and level 9 in all four abilities.
What each combination is worth
Language points only, no spouse, same level in all four abilities. Worked out from the IRCC grid.
| Profile | First language | Second language | French bonus | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCF Canada NCLC 9, no IELTS | 124 | 0 | 25 | 149 |
| TCF Canada NCLC 9 and IELTS at CLB 5 | 124 | 4 | 50 | 178 |
| TCF Canada NCLC 9 and IELTS at CLB 7 | 124 | 12 | 50 | 186 |
| IELTS at CLB 9, no TCF | 124 | 0 | 0 | 124 |
| IELTS at CLB 9 and TCF Canada NCLC 7 | 124 | 12 | 50 | 186 |
| IELTS at CLB 9 and TCF Canada NCLC 6 | 124 | 4 | 0 | 128 |
Two things stand out.
- For a French speaker, an IELTS at CLB 5 is worth 29 points. The bonus goes from 25 to 50 and the second language adds 4 points. CLB 5 means 5.0 in listening, 4.0 in reading, 5.0 in writing and 5.0 in speaking on IELTS General Training.
- For an English speaker, NCLC 7 in French is worth 62 points, but NCLC 6 is worth only 4. The bonus needs NCLC 7 in each of the four abilities. One ability at 6 and it is gone. On TCF Canada, NCLC 7 takes 458 in listening, 453 in reading and 10 out of 20 in writing and in speaking.
French-language draws
IRCC also runs draws for candidates who speak French. They need a French test, with at least NCLC 7 in all four abilities. An IELTS, however good, does not get you in. Recent cut-offs are in the French-language draws.
The two tests side by side
| TCF Canada | IELTS General Training | |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 39 questions, 35 min | About 30 min |
| Reading | 39 questions, 60 min | 60 min |
| Writing | 3 tasks, 60 min | 60 min |
| Speaking | 12 min, 3 tasks | 11 to 14 min |
| Score | Out of 699 and out of 20 | Band from 0 to 9 |
Both results must be less than 2 years old when you create your profile and when you submit your permanent residence application. For the conversion of each score to a level, see the NCLC, CLB, IELTS and TCF table.
Where to start
- Your French is stronger than your English. Take TCF Canada first and aim for NCLC 7 everywhere, then NCLC 9. After that, an IELTS at CLB 5 is often the cheapest way to gain 29 points.
- Your English is stronger. IELTS (or CELPIP, or PTE Core) first. TCF Canada is only worth it if you can reach NCLC 7 in all four abilities, otherwise it adds just a few points.
- Your level is close in both languages. Compare with the grid. For example, with NCLC 8 in French and CLB 7 in English everywhere, French first gives 92 points plus 12 for English and a 50-point bonus, so 154. English first gives 68 plus 12 for French and the 50-point bonus, so 130. So put first the language where your level is highest.
TEF Canada is also accepted instead of TCF Canada, see TCF or TEF Canada. For the bonus in detail, see CRS points for French.
In TCF Canada writing, NCLC 7 starts at 10 out of 20. Write a task to see where you stand. NCLC Prep grades French writing only, not IELTS.