TEF Canada & TCF Canada: the practical guide
Which test to take, how to book, what it costs, when results come, and the French-language Express Entry draws. Checked on 17 October 2026.
TEF Canada or TCF Canada?
Both are accepted by IRCC for Express Entry and for citizenship, and IRCC turns the scores of both into an NCLC level for each of the four skills (for citizenship only listening and speaking count, at B1 or higher). The format is different, so pick the one whose format suits you and whose dates are available near you.
| TEF Canada | TCF Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | CCI Paris Île-de-France (Le français des affaires) | France Éducation international |
| Listening | 40 questions, 40 min | 39 questions, 35 min |
| Reading | 40 questions, 60 min | 39 questions, 60 min |
| Writing | 2 sections, 60 min (80 and 200 words minimum) | 3 tasks, 60 min |
| Speaking | 2 sections, 15 min, face to face with an examiner | 3 tasks, about 12 min, with an examiner |
| Scores | 0–699 per skill, plus an “Équivalence ancien score” column | 0–699 for listening and reading, 0–20 for writing and speaking |
| Results | By email, usually 1–10 working days (some centres say longer) | Usually 2–4 weeks, depending on the centre |
| Retake | Wait at least 20 days between two sittings | At least 20 days at most centres (some say 30): check with your centre |
| Valid for | 2 years | 2 years |
TEF Canada: all four tests on the same day; reading, listening and writing on a computer. TCF Canada: computer or paper depending on the centre.
How to book, step by step
- Choose the test (TEF Canada or TCF Canada) and look for a centre: for TEF, use the official centre finder of Le français des affaires; for TCF, check the Alliance Française or university centres in your city.
- Book early. Sessions often sell out weeks ahead in Canada, and some centres in India have waiting lists.
- Register and pay on the centre's site. Use exactly the same name and ID as in your passport and immigration file. Fees are usually not refundable.
- You receive a notice to attend (convocation). On test day bring it with your valid ID (most centres ask for your passport) and arrive early: most centres do not let late candidates in.
- Results come by email (TEF: a secure online link, no paper copy). Keep the PDF safe: you will upload it to IRCC.
TEF Canada official centre finder ↗
What it costs: real examples
Each centre sets its own price. These are the prices shown on the centres' own pages on 17 October 2026. Taxes may be extra; always check the centre's page before paying.
| Centre | Test | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Alliance Française de Calgary | TEF Canada | $390 |
| Alliance Française d'Edmonton | TEF Canada | $390 |
| ILSC Toronto | TEF Canada | $490 (sum of the 4 tests) |
| McGill (Montréal) | TEF Canada | $436 (sum of the 4 tests) |
| Alliance Française Toronto (incl. Mississauga campus) | TCF Canada | $390 |
| Alliance Française Vancouver (incl. New Westminster) | TCF Canada | $390 |
| Alliance Française du Manitoba | TCF Canada | $400 |
| Alliance Française Chandigarh | TEF Canada | ₹26,000 (incl. GST) |
| Alliance Française de Delhi | TCF Canada | ₹26,000 (incl. GST) |
| Alliance Française de Karachi | TEF Canada | PKR 75,000 |
| Alliance Française de Karachi | TCF Canada | PKR 75,000 |
Canadian prices in CAD. We found no TEF or TCF centre in Brampton or Surrey: the nearest are in Toronto / Mississauga and Vancouver / New Westminster.
After the test: results and Express Entry
- Results count for 2 years. For Express Entry they must be less than 2 years old both when you create your profile and when you submit your permanent residence application. For citizenship, results you sent with your permanent residence application are accepted even if they have expired.
- TEF Canada: in your Express Entry profile, enter only the “Équivalence ancien score” numbers from your results, whatever your test date, not the “/699” scores. IRCC warns that wrong scores can lead to a refused application.
- Express Entry accepts only TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French.
TEF Canada taken between 11 December 2023 and 6 May 2024? IRCC says you may need to update your Express Entry profile with corrected levels.
French-language Express Entry draws
To be invited in these draws you need NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking). The table shows the official IRCC data.
Data from IRCC, checked on 17 October 2026.
| Date | Draw | Invitations | Lowest CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-16 | #450 | 5,000 | 435 |
| 2026-08-19 | #437 | 5,000 | 382 |
| 2026-08-06 | #433 | 5,000 | 391 |
| 2026-07-22 | #429 | 5,000 | 399 |
| 2026-07-09 | #425 | 5,000 | 420 |
| 2026-05-28 | #418 | 4,500 | 409 |
| 2026-04-29 | #414 | 4,000 | 400 |
| 2026-04-15 | #411 | 4,000 | 419 |
| 2026-03-18 | #405 | 4,000 | 393 |
| 2026-03-04 | #401 | 5,500 | 397 |
| 2026-02-06 | #394 | 8,500 | 400 |
How many CRS points does French add?
- NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills adds 50 bonus points if your English is CLB 5 or higher in all four skills, or 25 points if your English is CLB 4 or lower (or you have no English test).
- French as your second official language adds up to 24 more points (22 if your spouse or partner comes with you).
- If your French is stronger than your English, you can declare French as your first official language: it then counts like English would.
From 3 November 2026 IRCC adds new CRS points for high-wage work experience and job offers. All profiles are recalculated, which can take up to 2 weeks, and invitation rounds are paused until it is done. The French bonus points were not changed in that announcement.
Canada's 2026 target: 9% of new permanent residents outside Quebec should be French-speaking (provisional targets: 9.5% in 2027, 10.5% in 2028).
For citizenship
Applicants aged 18 to 54 must show CLB / NCLC 4 or higher in speaking and listening. In French you can use TEF Canada, TCF Canada, TEFAQ, TEF IRN or TCF Québec with B1 or higher in listening and speaking, DELF B1 or higher, or DALF (any result), or other proof such as studies in English or French or a government-funded language class certificate.
Sources
- IRCC: Express Entry language test results
- IRCC: language test equivalency charts
- IRCC: CRS criteria
- IRCC: category-based selection
- IRCC: citizenship approved language tests
- IRCC: changes for high-wage occupations (Oct 2026)
- IRCC: francophone immigration targets
- IRCC: citizenship language proof
- Le français des affaires: TEF Canada
- Alliance Française Toronto: TCF Canada
French Saathi is an independent study site, not linked to IRCC, CCI Paris Île-de-France or France Éducation international. This page is general information, not immigration advice: rules and prices change, so check the official pages before you book or apply.