Canada just changed the Express Entry points. French wasn't touched (yet).

On 3 November 2026, Express Entry adds new points for high-wage work and job offers. The French bonus points and French category draws were not changed by this announcement. French points are, however, under review. This post explains the change in plain terms and what it may mean if you plan to take the TEF Canada.

Last checked 18 October 2026. This is not legal or immigration advice. Check canada.ca before you decide anything.

What changes on 3 November 2026?

IRCC published the details on 16 October 2026. From 3 November 2026:

• Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation earns extra CRS points. The extra points depend on how far the occupation's median wage is above the Canadian median: 20 points at 1.3 times or more, 40 points at 1.5 times or more, and 70 points at 2 times or more. You need at least 12 months of that work.
• A qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation earns extra points. The values are 50 points at 1.3 times, 70 points at 1.5 times and 100 points at 2 times the median.
• An LMIA is no longer required for a qualifying job offer to count for points or for program eligibility.
• You get the higher option, not both. If you qualify under work experience and job offer, you receive whichever gives more points. The labour market integration factor is capped at 150 points, or 140 with a spouse or partner.

"High-wage" refers to the typical median wage of the occupation, not your own salary. IRCC groups eligible jobs by NOC code.

Who gains, and what is the pause?

People who work in high-wage occupations in Canada, or who have a qualifying job offer, gain points. People without those do not lose points, but others may pass them in the ranking.

IRCC says it will recalculate profile scores when the changes take effect. This "could take up to two weeks". During that time, invitation rounds are paused, and they restart when the recalculation is complete. If you want job offer points, IRCC asks you to update your profile with the job offer details before 3 November.

Was French touched?

No, not in these announcements. The pages we read on the changes do not mention French language points or French category draws.

The CRS criteria page still lists the French bonus:

• +50 points for NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities and CLB 5 or higher in all four English abilities.
• +25 points for NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities and CLB 4 or lower in English (or no English test).

French category draws also still exist. They invite candidates who have French results of NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities. According to CIC News, IRCC invited 5,000 candidates in a French draw on 16 October 2026 with a cut-off of 435. More on that in what the 435 cut-off means for TEF candidates.

Why French draws may matter more now

This part is our reading, not IRCC's.

A French category draw ranks only candidates who qualify for it. So a candidate with no high-wage job offer is compared with other French speakers, not with the whole pool. The new high-wage points raise scores in the general pool. If you have no high-wage work or offer, French may be one of the few routes where your score is compared on level ground. Nobody can promise how draws will go, and IRCC chooses the categories.

French points are under review

Nothing has been decided, but there are signals.

• IRCC consulted on Express Entry in spring 2026. In its consultation report, on French language points, 28.6% of survey respondents wanted more points, 40.0% wanted fewer and 32.0% wanted them removed. The report says the results are not representative of the Canadian population.
• A consultation is a view from respondents. It is not a policy decision.

Why does this matter for timing? If French points were ever reduced, a result you already hold is the safer position. A TEF or TCF result is accepted for Express Entry if it is less than 2 years old, so there is little cost to testing sooner if you already plan to apply. We cannot know what IRCC will do. Treat this as a reason to avoid waiting without a plan, not as a prediction.

What to do now

1. Read the IRCC changes page.
2. If you have a job offer, check your profile before 3 November.
3. If French is part of your plan, book your test. See how to book the TEF or TCF and TEF vs TCF.
4. Speaking often decides the result. See how to get NCLC 7 in speaking.

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Cadentia is practice, not an official resource. It gives no score and is not affiliated with IRCC.

Sources

• IRCC, Canada refocusing Express Entry on top talent (16 October 2026)
• IRCC, Changes to Express Entry for high-wage occupations
• IRCC, Express Entry changes
• IRCC, CRS criteria
• IRCC, 2026 Express Entry consultation report
• CIC News, Canada invites 5,000 French-speaking workers