The Express Entry changes in IRCC's October 16, 2026 announcement leave the French language category standing, so take a breath. From November 3, 2026, IRCC adds new CRS points for high-wage Canadian work experience and job offers, but the French category (NCLC 7 in all four abilities) and the French bonus of up to 50 CRS points are still on IRCC's own pages.
Your French counts exactly as it did last week. What moves is the competition around you. Some candidates will gain new points from November 3, and invitation rounds pause while every score in the pool is recalculated.
What IRCC changed in Express Entry on October 16, 2026
IRCC changed how the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) rewards Canadian work and job offers in high-wage occupations, starting November 3, 2026. In its official announcement (opens in a new tab), IRCC explains that Canada wants Express Entry to match its economic and labour market needs more closely.
A high-wage occupation is one whose median wage is at least 1.3 times the median wage of the whole Canadian workforce. It's about what the occupation typically pays, not your own salary. And from November 3, a qualifying job offer no longer needs a labour market impact assessment (LMIA).
| Occupation's median wage vs national median | Canadian work experience (12+ months) | Qualifying job offer |
|---|---|---|
| At least 2 times | 70 points | 100 points |
| At least 1.5 times | 40 points | 70 points |
| At least 1.3 times | 20 points | 50 points |
Keep in mind that you can't combine both columns. As the high-wage occupations backgrounder (opens in a new tab) points out, IRCC only gives you whichever score is higher. The labour market integration factor tops out at 150 points without an accompanying spouse or partner, and 140 with one.
Does the Express Entry French language category change in 2026?
No, the French-language proficiency category stays. As of October 2026, IRCC's category-based selection page (opens in a new tab) still lists it among the 10 current Express Entry categories, and the October 16 release doesn't remove it.
You still need at least NCLC 7 in all four abilities: listening, reading, writing and speaking. In a category round, IRCC invites the eligible candidates with the highest CRS scores, so your score still decides your place in line.
Good news on the bonus too. The CRS criteria page (opens in a new tab), updated October 16, 2026, still gives:
- 50 points for NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills plus CLB 5 or higher in all four English skills
- 25 points for NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills with CLB 4 or lower in English, or no English test
To see how these extra points combine with your baseline language score, read our breakdown on how to get 50 Express Entry points with French.
Who the new points affect, and why draws pause
French speakers who also have high-wage Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer can gain points from November 3. If you have neither, your own score stays the same, but some people around you in the pool may move up.
Say you hold NCLC 7 in all four French skills and CLB 5 in English. Your 50-point French bonus is just as solid on November 4 as it is today.
Now picture another candidate with a qualifying job offer in an occupation at 2 times the median wage. From November 3, that offer is worth 100 points. That's the shift worth planning for, calmly.
Your French score and the recalculation pause
Your French score is still the piece of your profile you can actually change. If you test in French as your first official language, each skill gives you 17 core points at CLB 7 and 31 at CLB 9 (for a single candidate, on IRCC's CRS criteria page). More points still don't mean an automatic invitation, because every round sets its own requirements and cut-off.
Profiles already in the pool are recalculated automatically. IRCC says this can take up to two weeks, and invitation rounds are paused during that time.
What to do before November 3, 2026
Update your Express Entry profile before November 3 if you have a job offer, because IRCC says that's how you get job offer points in the recalculation. Then take a few quiet minutes to check the rest of your file.
- Add your qualifying job offer to your profile before November 3.
- Check that your occupation's median wage is at least 1.3 times the national median. It's the occupation's figure, not your pay.
- Confirm your TEF Canada or TCF Canada results show NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities.
- Don't panic when draws stop. IRCC is pausing invitations for up to two weeks while the system recalculates pool scores.
- If your work history or wage category feels borderline, review your profile with a licensed consultant in good standing on the official CICC register.
The TEF Canada score to CLB conversion guide shows the cut-offs for each ability. Not sure how close you are to NCLC 7? Our free French level test gives you a starting point in 12 to 20 adaptive questions, with the result by email.
Learn French Canada prepares students for both the TEF Canada and the TCF Canada online across Canada, and has taught 4,500+ students since 2017. Your plan doesn't need to change with this news. From zero French, give yourself 12 months to reach CLB 7. From a B1 base, it's closer to 6.
