Ontario's Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream
Ontario closed this stream to new applicants on June 26, 2026, as part of a redesign of its immigration program. If you already applied, your application is still being assessed under the rules that applied when you sent it. Ontario replaced its old streams with one new stream called Ontario Workforce Priority — it opened on August 4, 2026 and is accepting expressions of interest now. See the Ontario Workforce Priority stream page on this site.
What is this program?
Ontario's Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream was built for francophone applicants with strong French and at least moderate English — Ontario wants to grow its francophone population. While it operated, Ontario ran targeted francophone draws separate from the general Human Capital Priorities stream, and every other criterion still applied: you needed a federal Express Entry profile and a Notification of Interest from Ontario.
Who is it for?
- You have a federal Express Entry profile
- Your French is at CLB 7 or higher in all four abilities
- Your English is at least CLB 6 in all four abilities
- You have at least 1 year of skilled work experience (TEER 0–3) in the last 5 years
- You have a bachelor's degree or higher
- You intend to live in Ontario
What does it lead to?
Provincial nomination, adding 600 CRS points to your Express Entry profile; invitations still depend on your total CRS and the round's cut-off. After nomination, the federal step currently takes about 6 months (IRCC's estimate) — Ontario's own step comes first.
Primary requirements
- Active Express Entry profile.
- Receive a Notification of Interest from Ontario.
- French language test at CLB 7+ in all four abilities (TEF or TCF).
- English language test at CLB 6+ in all four abilities (IELTS or CELPIP).
- 1 year of continuous skilled work experience in NOC TEER 0–3 within the last 5 years.
- Bachelor's degree or higher (ECA required for foreign credentials).
- Proof of settlement funds.
- Intent to live in Ontario.
What you'll need to apply
- Active Express Entry profile number
- Notification of Interest from Ontario
- French language test results (TEF Canada or TCF Canada)
- English language test results (IELTS General or CELPIP-General)
- Educational Credential Assessment
- Employer reference letters
- Proof of settlement funds
- Passport, medical, police certificates
Where to start
See which OPEN programs fit you
Or visit the official ontario page for Ontario's Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream to read the government's own requirements.
If you want professional advice before applying, work with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or a Canadian immigration lawyer.
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Informational only — not immigration advice. Always confirm requirements on the official government page.