French + IELTS Combo for Canada 2026: The Bilingual CRS Boost Strategy

The French + IELTS combo for Canada PR is the single most powerful CRS strategy available to Indian applicants in 2026 — and almost nobody is using it. While hundreds of thousands of candidates fight for marginal IELTS score improvements, a small group of strategic applicants are combining strong English scores with French proficiency to unlock 37+ bonus CRS points and qualify for French-language Express Entry draws with cutoffs 100-150 points lower than general rounds. Since IRCC eliminated job offer points in March 2025, bilingual language ability has become the #1 controllable differentiator in the Comprehensive Ranking System. This guide shows you exactly how the French + IELTS combo works, the precise CRS math, how to choose your English test, the ideal preparation timeline, and how EEC delivers both courses at ₹7,500 each — with FREE counseling included.

Why You Need BOTH English AND French for Maximum CRS

The Canada Express Entry CRS system rewards language ability more heavily than any other factor — and it rewards bilingual ability most of all. English is your base: a strong IELTS, PTE, or CELPIP score gives you up to 136 CRS points under Core Human Capital. But English alone has a ceiling. No matter how perfectly you score, there is a maximum — and in 2026, that maximum is not always enough for a general draw ITA.

French is your bonus multiplier. It does not replace your English points — it adds entirely new points on top. IRCC awards CRS points through two separate mechanisms: Second Official Language (SOL) points for demonstrated French ability, and a bilingual bonus for candidates who are strong in both English and French. Together, these can add 37-50 CRS points to your profile — points your English-only competitors simply cannot access. The French + IELTS combo for Canada PR exploits both mechanisms simultaneously: IELTS maximises your English base, and French adds the bonus layer that pushes you above cutoffs or into French-language draws.

Think of it this way: English determines your floor. French determines your ceiling. Every Indian applicant with CLB 8-9 has roughly the same floor. The applicants who add French are the ones raising their ceiling — and receiving ITAs while everyone else waits. If you are targeting Canada PR via Express Entry, this combo is no longer optional — it is the strategy that separates those who receive ITAs from those who wait indefinitely.

“English gives you a seat at the table. French gives you the winning hand. The bilingual CRS boost is the single most underutilised strategy among Indian Express Entry applicants — and it's worth 37-50 points.”

— EEC Expert, Education Consultant

The Bilingual CRS Math

Let us break down the exact numbers. The French + IELTS combo for Canada PR generates CRS points through a clear, verifiable formula. Here is what happens when you add French NCLC 7 to a strong English CLB 9 profile — you can verify this using IRCC's official CRS calculator:

That is +37 CRS points — from the same person, same education, same work experience, same age. The only difference is French. To put this in perspective: going from IELTS 7.0 to 8.0 in a single band might add 15-20 CRS points and requires months of grinding. Adding French NCLC 7 adds 37 points through an entirely separate scoring category. Even at the minimum threshold of NCLC 5, you still gain +29 points (4 SOL + 25 bilingual bonus). There is no other CRS strategy in 2026 that offers this kind of return.

IELTS vs PTE vs CELPIP — Which English Test to Pair with French?

All three major English tests — IELTS, PTE Academic, and CELPIP General — are accepted by IRCC for Express Entry. Each converts to CLB levels, and your CRS points are based on CLB, not the raw test score. So which one pairs best with French in the French + IELTS combo for Canada PR strategy? Here is a comparison:

IELTS + French — The Most Common Combo

IELTS remains the most widely taken English test for Canada immigration, and IELTS + French is the most common bilingual combo among successful Indian applicants. The advantages: IELTS has the widest test centre availability across India, extensive preparation resources, and the speaking test with a human examiner (which many students prefer). If you are already preparing for IELTS at EEC, adding French A1 is the natural next step — you are already in the system, your counsellor already knows your Canada timeline, and both courses run at ₹7,500 each. The French + IELTS combo for Canada PR is the most proven path to the bilingual CRS advantage.

PTE + French — Fast Results, Fast Action

PTE Academic delivers results in 1-5 business days — much faster than IELTS. For candidates who want to lock in their English score quickly and shift focus to French preparation, PTE + French is an excellent combo. The fully computer-based format means no examiner variability, and many students who struggle with IELTS speaking find PTE's AI-scored format more predictable. EEC offers PTE coaching at ₹7,500 with the same bilingual integration — your PTE trainer and French trainer coordinate through your shared EEC counsellor.

CELPIP + French — Both Canada-Focused

CELPIP General is designed specifically for Canadian immigration and maps directly to CLB levels without conversion tables. For candidates targeting only Canada (not UK, Australia, or NZ), CELPIP + French creates a fully Canada-aligned profile. The test uses Canadian English contexts and scenarios, which aligns well with the bilingual Canada PR narrative. EEC's CELPIP coaching is ₹7,500 — the same as IELTS and PTE — and pairs seamlessly with French A1 at EEC.

The Preparation Timeline

The question every candidate asks: how do I actually prepare for both English and French? There are three approaches, each with different trade-offs. Here is how to structure your French + IELTS combo for Canada PR preparation:

Sequential: IELTS/PTE First (3 Months) → French A1 (2-3 Months) → A2 → B1 → TEF/TCF

The safest approach: complete your English test first, lock in your CLB score, then start French. This works if you are risk-averse or have limited daily study time. Downside: it takes longer — your French journey starts 3+ months later, meaning your TEF/TCF result (and those 37 CRS bonus points) arrives 3 months later too. Every month of delay is a potential Express Entry draw you miss.

Parallel: IELTS/PTE + French A1 Together (Faster, More Intense)

The aggressive approach: prepare for IELTS or PTE and French A1 simultaneously. This requires 2-3 hours daily across both languages but compresses your total timeline by 2-3 months. Since French A1 is purely foundational (basic grammar, survival phrases, introductions), it does not interfere with advanced English preparation. Many EEC students successfully run both in parallel — the key is structured scheduling, which EEC's Online Live format supports well with flexible batch timings.

EEC Recommendation: Start English First, Add French Within 1-2 Months

Based on 27+ years of coaching experience and thousands of successful Canada PR placements, EEC recommends a hybrid: start your English test prep immediately, then add French A1 within 1-2 months once you have settled into your IELTS/PTE rhythm. This gives you a head start on English (your immediate priority) while starting French early enough to avoid losing months. By the time you sit your English test (month 3-4), your French is at A1 completion — ready to progress to A2 and beyond.

EEC's Bilingual Advantage — English + French at ₹7,500 Each

Here is what makes EEC unique for the French + IELTS combo for Canada PR: you get both English and French coaching at the same institute, from expert trainers, for ₹7,500 each — a total of ₹15,000 for your complete bilingual preparation. And that ₹15,000 includes FREE Canada study abroad counseling from EEC's experienced immigration advisors across 26+ branches. No other institute in India offers this integrated bilingual package.

Why does same-institute matter? Because your IELTS or PTE trainer, your French trainer, and your study abroad counsellor all coordinate through the same system. Your timelines are synchronised. Your counsellor tracks both your English score targets and your French progression milestones, adjusting your Canada Express Entry strategy as you progress. This level of integration simply does not exist when you prepare English at one coaching centre and French somewhere else. And if your plans extend beyond Canada to France or Belgium, EEC's counsellors cover those Francophone destinations too.

EEC's French A1 is delivered Online Live only — expert trainers, small interactive batches, real-time pronunciation correction (critical for TEF/TCF speaking), and CEFR-aligned curriculum designed with the Canada CRS pathway in mind. Whether you are in Gujarat, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, or anywhere else in India, EEC's Online Live French classes give you the same quality of instruction. And if you are near any of EEC's 26+ branches, your in-person counseling sessions add another layer of support — especially for document preparation, Express Entry profile creation, and post-ITA guidance.

Already Enrolled for IELTS/PTE at EEC? Add French A1 Now

This section is specifically for you — the EEC student already preparing for IELTS, PTE, or CELPIP. You are already doing the right thing by investing in a strong English score. But here is the question you need to ask yourself: am I leaving 37+ CRS points on the table by not adding French?

The answer, for 95% of Canada-bound EEC students, is yes. You are already at EEC. Your counsellor already knows your profile. Adding French A1 at ₹7,500 takes 2-3 months of Online Live classes — and it starts a journey that adds up to 37-50 CRS points to your Express Entry profile. That is the difference between a CRS of 470 (stuck in the pool) and 507 (ITA received). Or the difference between being ineligible for French-language draws and having a CRS of 430+ when the French draw cutoff is 380. The bilingual CRS math does not lie.

If you are already enrolled at EEC, adding French is frictionless. Talk to your existing counsellor at your next session — or enquire online now — and they will add French A1 to your study plan immediately. No new registration process, no new counsellor, no disruption to your English preparation. Just ₹7,500 more and a commitment to 2-3 months of online classes, and you have activated the most powerful CRS strategy in Express Entry.

Still unsure? Read the detailed CRS breakdown in our companion article: French for Canada CRS Points 2026 — How Bonus Points Work. Or explore the TEF vs TCF comparison to understand which French test you will eventually take. And for the complete roadmap from A1 to NCLC 7, see: TEF Canada Preparation Roadmap — A1 to NCLC 7.

Frequently Asked Questions