# TEF Canada: the complete guide > TEF Canada explained: the four tests, timing, the 0–699 score and NCLC levels, how booking works, results in 1–10 business days, and 2-year validity. Canonical: https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada Last updated: 2026-10-26 The Test d’évaluation de français pour le Canada (TEF Canada) is one of the two French tests IRCC accepts for Express Entry, other permanent residence programs and citizenship. It’s run by the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI Paris Île-de-France) and recognized by IRCC since 2002. ## The four tests For immigration you take all four tests: reading, listening, writing and speaking. They must all be taken **on the same day** for the certificate to be recognized by Canadian authorities. For citizenship you only need two: listening and speaking. *TEF Canada for immigration: four tests, all on the same day (CCI Paris Île-de-France)* | Test | Format | Time | Score on the certificate | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Compréhension écrite (reading) | 40 multiple-choice questions, 4 options, free navigation | 60 minutes | 0–699, CEFR and NCLC level | | Compréhension orale (listening) | 40 multiple-choice questions, each recording played once, no going back | 40 minutes | 0–699, CEFR and NCLC level | | Expression écrite (writing) | Section A: continue an article (80+ words). Section B: argue a point of view (200+ words) | 60 minutes (25 + 35) | 0–699, CEFR and NCLC level | | Expression orale (speaking) | Face to face. Section A: obtaining information. Section B: convincing someone | 15 minutes (5 + 10) | 0–699, CEFR and NCLC level | ### Reading and listening Both are on computer, with 40 four-option questions each. In reading you can move freely between questions. In listening, each recording plays once and you answer as you go, with no going back. A right answer earns 1 point; a wrong or blank answer earns 0. Practise both: [reading](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-practice-test) and [listening](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-listening-practice). ### Writing and speaking Writing is on computer, with a virtual keyboard for French accents: section A asks you to continue an article (at least 80 words in 25 minutes), section B to express and justify a point of view (at least 200 words in 35 minutes). Speaking is face to face with an examiner and recorded so it can be marked twice. See [TEF Canada writing](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-writing) and [TEF Canada speaking](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-speaking). ## Scores and levels Each test gets a score **from 0 to 699**, with a CEFR level (A1 to C2) and an NCLC level (1 to 12). There’s no pass or fail: what matters is whether your NCLC levels reach what your program asks for. > **For your IRCC profile,** IRCC says to enter the scores in the “Équivalence ancien score” (old score equivalence) column, not the score out of 699. If you took TEF Canada between December 11, 2023 and May 6, 2024, IRCC asks you to check whether a temporary scoring change affected your scores. See the [score converter](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/nclc-converter) to turn a TEF Canada or TCF Canada score into an NCLC level. ## How to book the TEF Canada 1. **Find an approved centre.** CCI Paris Île-de-France has around 500 official test centres in more than 110 countries. See our list of [TEF Canada test centres in Canada](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-test-centres). 2. **Pre-register.** You pre-register online. The approved centre then completes your registration and tells you how to pay. Your registration isn’t final until you’ve paid. 3. **Choose the right version.** Book all four tests in one session for immigration, or listening and speaking only for citizenship. 4. **Bring the right ID.** Bring photo ID. For TEF Canada it must be the same ID you used to register and the one in your immigration or citizenship file. ## How much does the TEF Canada cost? CCI Paris Île-de-France doesn’t publish one price: each approved centre sets its fee and tells you how to pay. Ask two or three centres near you. If you’re exempt from a test, you only pay for the tests you take. An unjustified absence isn’t refunded; a justified one reported within a month can be moved once to another session. ## Results and validity - **When:** results are released within **1 to 10 business days** of your test. Your centre is your main contact. - **How:** you get an email with a link to an online digital safe to download your certificate. There’s **no paper certificate**. - **Validity:** results are valid for **two years**. IRCC needs them to be less than 2 years old both when you create your Express Entry profile and when you apply for permanent residence. - **Retakes:** you can take the test as often as you like, with a **20-day wait** between sittings. - **Appeals:** within 30 days of the certificate date, only for a problem or serious malfunction during the test. Report it to the supervisor on the day. > 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 is the TEF Canada exam? A French test by CCI Paris Île-de-France, accepted by IRCC for Express Entry, other permanent residence programs and citizenship. For immigration it has four tests: reading, listening, writing and speaking. ### How long does the TEF Canada take? Reading 60 minutes, listening 40, writing 60 and speaking 15, all on the same day. ### How do I book the TEF Canada? Pre-register online with CCI Paris Île-de-France and pick an approved centre. The centre completes your registration and tells you how to pay. It isn’t final until you’ve paid. ### How soon do I get my TEF Canada results? Within 1 to 10 business days of the test, by email, as a download from an online digital safe. No paper certificate is issued. ### How long are TEF Canada results valid? Two years. For Express Entry they must still be less than 2 years old when you submit your permanent residence application. ### Can I retake the TEF Canada? Yes, as many times as you like, with at least 20 days between two sittings. ## Sources - [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: taking the test (Le français des affaires)](https://www.lefrancaisdesaffaires.fr/en/candidate/test-evaluation-francais/tef-canada/examination/) (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) - [TEF Canada: getting your certificate (Le français des affaires)](https://www.lefrancaisdesaffaires.fr/en/candidate/test-evaluation-francais/tef-canada/certificate/) (checked 2026-10-26) - [Your TEF Canada journey (Le français des affaires)](https://www.lefrancaisdesaffaires.fr/en/candidate/test-evaluation-francais/tef-canada/) (checked 2026-10-26) - [Conditions d’inscription et de passation du TEF (Le français des affaires)](https://www.lefrancaisdesaffaires.fr/candidat/conditions-dinscription-et-de-passation/) (checked 2026-10-26) - [Express Entry: language test results (IRCC, canada.ca)](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/language-requirements/language-testing.html) (checked 2026-10-26) Not affiliated with CCI Paris Île-de-France (TEF), France Éducation international (TCF) or IRCC. ## Related - [TEF Canada practice test: compréhension écrite](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-practice-test) - [TEF Canada listening practice: compréhension orale](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-listening-practice) - [TEF Canada vs TCF Canada](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/vs/tef-vs-tcf) - [French for Express Entry: the levels that count](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/french-for-express-entry) - [TEF Canada writing: expression écrite](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-writing) - [TEF Canada speaking: expression orale](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-speaking)