# French for Canadian citizenship

> Proving French for Canadian citizenship: who must, the CLB/NCLC 4 speaking and listening level, what TEF Canada and TCF Canada results IRCC accepts.

Canonical: https://frenchtestcanada.ca/french-for-citizenship
Last updated: 2026-10-26

If you’re 18 to 54, you have to show you can speak and listen in English or French at CLB/NCLC 4 or higher when you apply for citizenship. A French test is one way to prove it.

## What IRCC asks for

- **Who:** citizenship applicants aged 18 to 54.
- **Level:** CLB or NCLC 4 or higher in **speaking and listening**. Reading and writing aren’t assessed for this.
- **Proof:** IRCC first checks whether you studied in English or French (secondary or post-secondary). If not, a third-party test result like TEF Canada or TCF Canada works.
- **Old results:** for citizenship, IRCC asks you to include your test results **even if they’re expired**.

## TEF Canada for citizenship

TEF Canada has a citizenship version with just **two tests**: listening (40 questions, 40 minutes) and speaking (15 minutes). CCI Paris Île-de-France states the level as CLB 4 in both. IRCC’s citizenship page lists the TEF Canada result needed as **B1 or higher in listening and speaking** for tests taken on or after July 1, 2012.

## TCF Canada for citizenship

IRCC’s citizenship page lists the TCF Canada result needed as **B1 or higher**. TCF Canada has four compulsory tests, and France Éducation international says Canadian authorities accept no exemptions, so plan for all four.

|  | TEF Canada | TCF Canada |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tests to take for citizenship | Listening + speaking | All four |
| Result IRCC lists | B1 or higher in listening and speaking | B1 or higher |
| Practise here | [Listening practice](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-listening-practice) | [Reading practice](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tcf-canada-practice-test) |

See the [score converter](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/nclc-converter) to turn a TEF Canada or TCF Canada score into an NCLC level.

## How to get ready

- Train your ear with short announcements and conversations: our [listening practice](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-listening-practice) starts at A2.
- Practise speaking out loud with a timer: see the [TEF Canada speaking tasks](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-speaking).
- Book at an approved centre: [TEF Canada centres](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-test-centres) or [TCF Canada centres](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tcf-canada-test-centres).

> We’re an independent practice site. We’re not affiliated with CCI Paris Île-de-France (TEF Canada), France Éducation international (TCF Canada) or IRCC, and our questions are our own writing, not real exam questions.

## Questions people ask

### What French level do I need for Canadian citizenship?

CLB/NCLC 4 or higher in speaking and listening if you’re 18 to 54. IRCC’s page lists TEF Canada (since July 1, 2012) at B1 or higher in listening and speaking, and TCF Canada at B1 or higher.

### Which TEF Canada tests do I need for citizenship?

Two: listening (compréhension orale) and speaking (expression orale).

### Can I use an expired test result for citizenship?

IRCC asks you to include a copy of your test results even if they’re expired.

### Do I need a test if I studied in French?

Maybe not. IRCC accepts proof of a secondary or post-secondary program taught in English or French, such as a diploma or transcript.

## Sources

- [Language proof for citizenship, step 1 (IRCC, canada.ca)](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/language-proof.html) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [Language proof for citizenship, step 2: test results (IRCC, canada.ca)](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/language-proof/step-2.html) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [TEF Canada: learn more (Le français des affaires, CCI Paris Île-de-France)](https://www.lefrancaisdesaffaires.fr/en/candidate/test-evaluation-francais/tef-canada/presentation/) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [TEF Canada: understanding your results (Le français des affaires)](https://www.lefrancaisdesaffaires.fr/en/candidate/test-evaluation-francais/tef-canada/results/) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [TCF Canada: épreuves obligatoires (France Éducation international)](https://www.france-education-international.fr/en/document/presentationtcfcanada-en) (checked 2026-10-26)

Not affiliated with CCI Paris Île-de-France (TEF), France Éducation international (TCF) or IRCC.

## Related

- [TEF Canada listening practice: compréhension orale](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-listening-practice)
- [TEF Canada speaking: expression orale](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-speaking)
- [TEF Canada vs TCF Canada](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/vs/tef-vs-tcf)
- [TEF Canada: the complete guide](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada)