Express Entry Through French: The Full Cost Breakdown (2026)

The French Express Entry pathway is one of the most accessible routes to Canadian permanent residency for candidates worldwide — but it's not free. Understanding the real costs upfront prevents nasty surprises 12–18 months into your application.

This guide breaks down every mandatory and optional cost, with current 2026 figures and notes on which costs apply to the French pathway specifically.

The Complete Cost Map

| Category | Cost (CAD) | Mandatory? | |---|---|---| | Language test (TEF/TCF) | 290–420 | Yes | | Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) | 200–400 | Usually yes | | Express Entry profile creation | Free | — | | Biometrics | 85 (individual), 170 (family) | Yes | | PR Application — main applicant | 1,365 | Yes | | PR Application — spouse/partner | 1,365 | If applicable | | PR Application — per dependent child | 230 | If applicable | | Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) | 515 | Yes (included in above from 2022) | | Medical exam | 300–450 | Yes | | Police clearance certificates | 0–200 (varies by country) | Yes | | Settlement funds | 13,757–21,000+ | Yes (if no job offer/Canadian work) | | Immigration consultant (RCIC) | 1,500–5,000+ | Optional | | English test (IELTS/CELPIP) | 300–370 | Recommended for 50-point French bonus | | Passport renewal | Varies | If needed | | Estimated total (single applicant, no lawyer) | 4,500–7,500 | | | Estimated total (couple + 1 child, no lawyer) | 9,000–14,000 | |

All costs in Canadian dollars (CAD). Updated May 2026. Settlement funds figures from IRCC.

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1. Language Testing Costs

TEF Canada

• Cost range: 350–420 CAD at most centers
• Retake cost: Same price — you pay again for a new sitting
• Common testing countries: Canada, France, Morocco, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Algeria, Tunisia, India, Lebanon, Philippines, Vietnam

Country-specific notes:

• Morocco (Casablanca, Rabat): approximately 2,500–3,000 MAD (230–280 CAD equivalent)
• Senegal (Dakar): approximately 150,000–180,000 CFA (220–260 CAD equivalent)
• India (major cities): approximately 22,000–26,000 INR (270–320 CAD equivalent)
• France (Paris, Lyon): approximately 280–340 EUR (415–500 CAD equivalent)

TCF Canada

• Cost range: 290–410 CAD
• Similar country-specific pricing to TEF Canada

Should You Take Both?

No. IRCC requires only one French test per application. Take either TEF Canada or TCF Canada — not both. Some candidates retake the same exam to improve their score. Others switch exams after a poor result on their first attempt.

Planning for Retakes

Most candidates budget for 1.5 attempts — one primary sitting and a possible retake. At 350–420 CAD per attempt, this means approximately 350–840 CAD in total language testing costs.

If you want to take an English test as well (to qualify for the 50-point French bonus instead of 25-point), add:

• IELTS: 300–370 CAD
• CELPIP: 280–350 CAD

The 50-point bonus (vs. 25-point) requires English CLB 5+. For many candidates, this incremental 25 points is worth the extra test cost.

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2. Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

IRCC requires a credential assessment if you want education points from a degree earned outside Canada or the US.

Assessment Bodies (IRCC-designated)

• WES (World Education Services): 228–250 CAD — most commonly used, widely accepted
• IQAS (International Qualifications Assessment Service): 200 CAD (Alberta residents)
• ICES (International Credential Evaluation Service): 200 CAD
• Comparative Education Service (University of Toronto): 215 CAD

Typical Processing Time

• WES: 7 business days (digital, expedited) to 20 business days (standard)
• Most bodies: 2–6 weeks standard

Is ECA Required for the French Category Draw?

ECA is required for education points in Express Entry — not specifically for the French category. However, having a bachelor's degree ECA can add 120 points to your CRS score, which is significant. Don't skip it to save CAD 200.

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3. Biometrics

Required for all Express Entry applicants who haven't given biometrics to IRCC in the past 10 years.

• Individual: 85 CAD
• Family (2+ members): 170 CAD maximum (capped)

Biometrics are collected at a Visa Application Centre (VAC). In most countries with VAC presence, this is straightforward. In a few countries, you may need to travel to a VAC in a different city.

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4. PR Application Fees

| Fee | CAD | |---|---| | Processing fee — principal applicant | 850 | | Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) — principal applicant | 515 | | Processing fee — spouse/partner | 850 | | RPRF — spouse/partner | 515 | | Processing fee — dependent child (per child) | 230 |

As of 2022, RPRF is included in the application fee. Total for a single applicant: 1,365 CAD.

Note: Fees can be refunded if your application is rejected before a final decision is made. They are not refunded after a final negative decision.

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5. Medical Examination

All Express Entry applicants and family members must undergo a medical exam with an IRCC-designated panel physician.

• Cost range: 200–450 CAD per adult, depending on country
• Lower in: Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Africa
• Higher in: North America, Western Europe

The medical exam includes blood tests and chest X-ray. Results are valid for 12 months.

If your application processing exceeds 12 months (common in some categories), you may need to repeat the medical — additional cost.

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6. Police Clearance Certificates

Every country where you've lived for 6+ months in the past 10 years (or since age 18) requires a certificate.

• Canada: RCMP certificate — 25 CAD
• Most other countries: 0–100 USD equivalent, varying by government processing

For candidates who've lived in 3–4 countries, budget 150–400 CAD total for police clearances.

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7. Settlement Funds

This is not a fee paid to IRCC — it's liquid assets you must have and keep while your application is in process. IRCC needs proof you can support yourself upon arrival.

| Household size | Minimum funds (2026) | |---|---| | 1 person | 13,757 CAD | | 2 persons | 17,127 CAD | | 3 persons | 21,055 CAD | | 4 persons | 25,591 CAD |

Important exemptions: If you have a valid Canadian job offer or are currently authorized to work in Canada and already working, settlement funds are not required.

These funds must remain accessible throughout the application process. They can be in bank accounts, investments, or liquid assets — but not tied up in property you can't quickly sell.

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8. Optional but Common: Immigration Consultant or Lawyer

Many successful Express Entry applicants navigate the process without professional help. However, a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or immigration lawyer adds value in these situations:

• Previous immigration refusals
• Criminal record or inadmissibility concerns
• Complex work history (multiple countries, unusual occupations)
• Language barrier (if English or French isn't your strongest language for applications)

Typical RCIC fees:

• Full Express Entry representation: 2,000–4,500 CAD
• Document review only: 500–1,500 CAD
• Consultation only: 150–300 CAD/hour

Only use registered consultants — verify RCIC registration through the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) website.

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The French Pathway Cost Advantage

One underappreciated benefit of the French pathway: French category-based draws historically run at lower CRS cut-offs than the general pool (see our French draws history page). This means:

• If your CRS score is 380–430, you might wait years in the general pool, or get selected within weeks in a French draw
• The entire cost of language testing (350–840 CAD) can be recovered many times over if it gets you selected faster — reducing lost income from delayed immigration by potentially months or years

The financial return on 350 CAD for a TEF Canada test is extraordinary if it unlocks a French category draw.

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Timeline and Cash Flow

Here's a typical timeline for the French Express Entry pathway costs:

| Stage | Typical timing | Cost due | |---|---|---| | Prepare and take French test | 2–4 months before submitting profile | 350–420 CAD | | Educational Credential Assessment | 3–6 months before profile | 200–400 CAD | | Optional: English test | 1–2 months before profile | 300–370 CAD | | Submit Express Entry profile | Day 0 | Free | | Receive ITA and submit PR application | Weeks to months after profile | 1,365 CAD + biometrics 85 CAD | | Medical exam | Within 90 days of ITA | 300–450 CAD | | Police clearances | Within 90 days of ITA | 0–200 CAD | | COPR (Confirmation of PR) and landing | 6–12 months after PR application | Free |

Total upfront costs before receiving ITA: approximately 1,000–1,500 CAD.
Costs after receiving ITA: approximately 1,800–2,500 CAD.
Settlement funds: 13,757+ CAD (retained — not spent).

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Bottom Line

The French Express Entry pathway costs approximately 4,500–7,500 CAD for a single applicant (excluding settlement funds). The biggest single cost is the PR application fee (1,365 CAD). Language testing (350–840 CAD for one or two sittings) is a significant but necessary investment.

The decision to pursue French proficiency specifically for Express Entry is a financial one: every CAD spent on French preparation and testing is justified if it reduces your wait time for an ITA. For most candidates in the 380–430 CRS range, it's the best return available.

Start by estimating your CRS score with and without the French bonus using our CRS calculator. Then check the French draws history to see whether your score would have qualified for recent draws.