TCF Canada Score to NCLC and CEFR Equivalency Chart (2025 Update)

NCLC, or Canadian Language Benchmarks for French, is the official scale used by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) to evaluate your French proficiency.

Your TCF Canada results (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking) are converted to NCLC levels ranging from 1 (beginner) to 12 (near-native proficiency).

These levels determine your eligibility for Express Entry, PR, or work permit programs.

The CEFR, or Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, is an international language standard that ranges from A1 (beginner) to C2 (mastery).

It helps align your TCF Canada scores with globally recognized benchmarks used by universities, employers, and immigration authorities.

To qualify for French-speaking points under Express Entry, you generally need NCLC 7 or higher in all four skills.

This corresponds to roughly B2 on the CEFR scale. According to the official IRCC Language Equivalency Charts, the cut-off scores for NCLC 7 on the TCF Canada are:

• Speaking & Writing: 10+ (out of 20)

• Listening: 458+ (out of 699)

• Reading: 453+ (out of 699)

See the full breakdown on the France Éducation International (FEI) website.

For Work Permit Renewals (TFWP): Under the new 2025 regulations, if you have lived in Quebec for more than 3 years, you typically need to demonstrate Level 4 Oral (Speaking & Listening) on the Échelle québécoise. This is roughly equivalent to A2 (Beginner).

• Source: MIFI Temporary Worker Language Requirements

For Permanent Selection (CSQ / PSTQ): To stay permanently, the standard is much higher. Most programs, such as the Qualified Worker Selection Program (PSTQ), require Level 7 Oral (Speaking/Listening), which corresponds to B2 (Upper Intermediate). Some streams also require Level 5 in Writing.

️ Important: Quebec uses its own scale (Échelle québécoise), not NCLC. Always check the specific requirements for your stream on the official MIFI website.

Moving from A1 to A2 to B1, or B1 to B2/C1, isn't just about practice—it's about targeted feedback and structured improvement.

Ouizami helps you accelerate your results through:

• AI-powered feedback on every Speaking and Writing task

• Instant grammar and vocabulary corrections with model answers

• Progress dashboard tracking your NCLC improvement over time

• Timed exam-style simulations mirroring TCF Canada

• Theme-based practice questions to master common test topics

With Ouizami, you never waste study time — every session is built to move you closer to CLB 7 or higher.