Learning the French language is no longer just an additional skill, but has become a strategic advantage for obtaining Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada. Especially for Indian students and foreign workers, knowledge of the French language can now significantly increase the chances of getting a PR. Current immigration policies are giving special priority to French speakers, making the language more important than ever.
Increasing pressure on the country's infrastructure
Many people dream of getting a PR in Canada, but the process is likely to become more difficult in the coming years. There are signs of major changes in Canada's immigration policy after 2026. The government wants to reduce the number of temporary residents, such as foreign students and work permit holders. The main reason for this is increasing pressure on the country's infrastructure and housing shortage. The government is already taking steps in this direction.
As part of this scheme, only 2.30 lakh temporary work permits will be issued in 2026. This number is likely to decrease further in 2027 and 2028. Similarly, only 1.55 lakh study permits will be issued this year, which is almost half the number of last year. As a result, it will be more challenging for foreign nationals already in Canada to obtain a PR.
Temporary residents will also apply for PR
However, the government is adamant on its plan to provide permanent residence to around 3.80 lakh people every year. But competition for these slots will be fierce, as temporary residents already in Canada will also apply for PR. In such a situation, only those with a strong profile will succeed. This is where the importance of French comes into play.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is the biggest hurdle for Indians in the Express Entry system. A CRS score of more than 500 is often required in a normal draw, leading many candidates to wait for years. But knowing the French language can change this situation.
Selected for PR in a single draw
There are two main benefits of learning French. First, the cut-off score in the French language based draw is much lower than the general draw. According to an analysis of draws between 2025 and February 2026, the cut-off for French speakers reached 399 in December 2025, a historic low. In February 2026, 8,000 candidates with just 400 CRS scores were selected for PR in a single draw.
Another big advantage is that having knowledge of the French language can directly increase the CRS score by up to 50 points. Even if a candidate does not receive an invitation to the French language draw, these extra points can make them competitive in the general draw.
According to immigration experts, a large number of Indians in India and Canada are now turning to learning French. The main objective is to get PR quickly. Earlier it was believed that learning French could only settle in Quebec, but now this belief has been proven wrong.
The PR target was set at 9%
The government is running special programs to settle French-speaking people in provinces other than Quebec. The PR target for French speakers outside of Quebec is currently set at 9%, rising to 12% by 2029. In addition, 5,000 PR slots are reserved from 2026 for provinces that wish to welcome French-speaking candidates.
According to Talha Mohani, Managing Partner, Migration Bureau Canada, knowledge of the French language has significantly improved the Express Entry profile since the introduction of the category-based draw. CRS scores in the 2024 and 2025 French category draws have been 50 to 80 points lower than normal draws. This difference is often the deciding factor between years of waiting and successful PR.
How to get first job in Canada? Learn 5 important tips
. Source
