IRCC accepts two French tests for immigration applications: TEF Canada and TCF Canada. Both have 4 mandatory skills and are converted to the NCLC scale.
Quick comparison
| TEF Canada | TCF Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Organizer | CCI Paris Île-de-France (Le français des affaires) | France Éducation international |
| Skills | Reading, listening, writing, speaking (all 4 mandatory) | Reading, listening, writing, speaking (all 4 mandatory) |
| Scoring | Each part on a 699 scale | Reading and listening on a 699 scale; writing and speaking on a 20 scale |
| Results | About 2 weeks | Within 15 working days after the organizer receives the papers |
| Validity for IRCC | 2 years | 2 years |
What the TCF Canada includes
According to France Éducation international, the TCF Canada has 4 parts lasting 2 hours 47 minutes in total:
- Listening: 39 multiple-choice questions, 35 minutes. Each recording is played once.
- Reading: 39 multiple-choice questions, 60 minutes.
- Writing: 3 tasks, 60 minutes.
- Speaking: one-on-one with an examiner, 3 tasks, 12 minutes (including 2 minutes of preparation).
From the September 1, 2026 sessions, requests to re-mark the writing and speaking tests are suspended for about 1 year.
What the TEF Canada includes
According to its organizer, the TEF Canada has 4 mandatory parts: reading, listening, writing and speaking. Candidates register directly with one of about 500 approved test centres in more than 110 countries.
Which test to choose
- Both tests carry the same weight with IRCC. Choose based on test dates, location and the format you are more comfortable with.
- Practise the exact format of the test you choose: writing and speaking are marked differently in each.
- Check dates, fees and format (paper or computer) directly with the test centre. Each centre sets its own fees.
Note For C16, IRCC only needs your listening and speaking results, but the test still has all 4 parts. If you plan to apply for the FCIP or Express Entry later, aim for all 4 skills from the start.
What is NCLC and how to read your scores
From zero to NCLC 5: a learning roadmap
How long it takes and what it costs