What TCF Canada is
TCF Canada (Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada) is written, marked and certified by France Éducation international (FEI), an agency of the French Ministry of Education. It is designed for people who must prove their French level to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): economic immigration (Express Entry programs, provincial nominee programs) and citizenship applications all accept it. IRCC accepts only two French tests: TCF Canada and TEF Canada.
TCF Canada is not tied to a course and does not test grammar points in isolation. It measures how well you actually use French across listening, reading, writing and speaking. Results are reported on the CEFR scale (A1 to C2), and IRCC converts them to Canadian language benchmarks, called NCLC for French (CLB in English).
The four compulsory sections
| Section | Format | Questions / tasks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening (Compréhension orale) | Group, multiple choice with 4 options | 39 questions | 35 minutes |
| Reading (Compréhension écrite) | Group, multiple choice with 4 options | 39 questions | 60 minutes |
| Writing (Expression écrite) | Group | 3 tasks | 60 minutes |
| Speaking (Expression orale) | One-on-one with an examiner | 3 tasks | 12 minutes (including 2 minutes of preparation) |
All four sections must be taken in the same session; FEI gives the total duration as 2 hours 47 minutes. Listening and reading questions rise in difficulty from A1 to C2, and the three writing and speaking tasks also get progressively harder. Section details are in Test format.
How it is scored
- Listening and reading each receive a score, converted to a CEFR level (from "A1 not reached" to C2).
- Writing and speaking each receive a mark out of 20, also converted to a CEFR level.
- Each of the four results is converted to an NCLC level separately. Immigration programs usually require "all four abilities at level X", so your lowest section counts. See Scores and NCLC equivalency.
How results are used
- Express Entry: the Federal Skilled Worker Program requires NCLC 7 in all four abilities for the first official language; the Canadian Experience Class requires NCLC 7 (TEER 0 and 1 occupations) or NCLC 5 (TEER 2 and 3). With NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities you also qualify for French-language category draws and earn additional CRS points.
- Provincial nominee programs: French streams set their own NCLC thresholds.
- Citizenship: applicants aged 18 to 54 must show NCLC 4 in listening and speaking.
- Quebec: Quebec immigration programs use TCF Québec or TEFAQ; TCF Canada does not apply.
Results are valid for 2 years from the date they are issued. IRCC requires them to be valid both when you create your Express Entry profile and when you submit your permanent residence application.
How often you can take it
There is no limit on attempts, but you must wait at least 20 days between two TCF Canada sessions. Registration, fees and result timelines are covered in Registration and test centres.