IRCC Proposes Sweeping Express Entry Overhaul — French Bonus Points May Be Cut

IRCC Announces the Biggest Express Entry Shake-Up in a Decade

On April 8, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) dropped a bombshell: the three immigration programs that have powered Express Entry since its launch in 2015 are on the chopping block. The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST) would all be retired and replaced by a single pathway called the Federal High-Skilled Class.

For French-speaking candidates who have invested time and money in TEF or TCF preparation, one detail in the proposal demands immediate attention — IRCC is considering reducing or eliminating the 25 to 50 CRS bonus points currently awarded for French language proficiency.

What Is Being Proposed

According to detailed proposals released on April 10, IRCC wants to simplify Express Entry eligibility into a single set of requirements:

• One year of cumulative (not continuous) work experience in TEER 0–3 occupations within the last three years
• A minimum high-school diploma or equivalent credential
• Language scores of at least CLB/NCLC 6

The long-standing FSW 67-point eligibility grid would be scrapped entirely. Instead, the Comprehensive Ranking System would remain as the sole selection tool, but with significant scoring changes.

The biggest shift: IRCC wants to tilt CRS points toward earnings and job offers. Candidates working in occupations that pay above the national median wage would receive new bonus points. Job-offer points, which were effectively sidelined in recent years, would return — but only for positions in high-wage occupations.

At the same time, several existing CRS bonuses are under review for reduction or removal. IRCC's rationale, according to the proposals, is that factors like French proficiency, Canadian study experience, and having a sibling in Canada are "weaker predictors of economic outcomes" compared to salary data and validated job offers.

What This Means for You

If you are a French-speaking candidate currently in the Express Entry pool or preparing for a TEF/TCF exam, here is the practical reality:

Your French skills still matter right now. Nothing has changed yet. The current CRS scoring — including the full 25 to 50 point bilingual bonus — remains in effect. IRCC has confirmed that anyone who receives an Invitation to Apply before the new class launches will be processed under the existing rules. The new system is not expected to be operational until late 2027 or 2028 at the earliest.

Category-based French draws continue. French-language proficiency remains a confirmed draw category for 2026. These targeted draws have historically featured lower CRS cutoffs than general rounds, and nothing in the April 8 announcement changes that.

Spring 2026 consultations are your chance to weigh in. IRCC has committed to public consultations before finalizing any changes. Francophone community organizations, immigration lawyers, and individual candidates will all have the opportunity to provide feedback. Given Canada's stated goal of reaching 9% French-speaking permanent resident admissions in 2026 — and the broader target of 12% by 2029 — there is likely to be strong pushback against gutting French-language incentives.

Do not pause your language preparation. Even under the proposed system, CLB/NCLC 6 remains the minimum threshold, and higher language scores will still contribute to your overall CRS ranking. French proficiency also opens doors through Provincial Nominee Programs, where provinces have 5,000 dedicated spots for Francophone candidates in 2026, and through category-based draws that operate independently of general CRS scoring.

The Bottom Line

This proposal is significant, but it is exactly that — a proposal. The consultation process will shape whether French-language bonuses survive, shrink, or transform into something new. In the meantime, the strongest strategy for French-speaking candidates remains unchanged: build the highest CRS score possible, target category-based draws, and keep your language certification current.

If you are preparing for the TEF or TCF to strengthen your Express Entry profile, FrenchSprint's exam-focused practice tools can help you reach your target CLB level efficiently while the current bonus points are still on the table.