For Express Entry, PR and Canadian citizenship, book TCF Canada. IRCC does not accept TCF Tout Public. TCF Canada makes all four skills compulsory and its results convert to NCLC levels; TCF Tout Public is a general-purpose French test for study, work or personal use, where writing and speaking are optional add-ons.
Key takeaways
- IRCC accepts TCF Canada (and TEF Canada). It does not accept TCF Tout Public.
- TCF Canada: listening, reading, writing and speaking, all compulsory.
- TCF Tout Public: compulsory multiple-choice modules; writing and speaking optional.
- Quebec accepts both, but a TCF Canada result covers federal and Quebec needs.
- Fees are usually non-refundable. Check the exam name before you pay.
If your goal is Canada (Express Entry, PR, a PNP outside Quebec, or citizenship), you need TCF Canada. TCF Tout Public will not be accepted by IRCC, however high your score. Both are run by France Éducation international (FEI), which is why people mix them up.
What are the differences?
#| TCF Canada | TCF Tout Public | |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | Canadian immigration and citizenship | General use: study, work, personal |
| Accepted by IRCC | Yes | No |
| Accepted by Quebec (MIFI) | Yes | Yes (listed as TCF) |
| Writing and speaking | Compulsory | Optional add-on modules |
| Scoring | Listening/reading /699; writing/speaking /20 | Scores with CEFR levels (A1–C2) |
| Converts to NCLC | Yes, via IRCC's chart | Not for IRCC purposes |
| Validity | 2 years from test date | 2 years from test date |
- You want Express Entry points or French draws
- You need NCLC levels for a PNP outside Quebec
- You are applying for Canadian citizenship
- You want one result for both federal and Quebec files
- A French university or employer asks for a CEFR level
- You want a general certificate of your French
- Nobody has asked you for TCF Canada
- Note: France uses separate TCF versions for residence and nationality
Which TCF do you need?
#TCF Canada (or TEF Canada). NCLC 7 needs 458 / 453 / 10 / 10. See the TCF Canada exam format and CLB 7 score guide.
Quebec accepts TCF Québec, TCF Canada and TCF, among others. TCF Québec lets you take only the modules Quebec asks for. If federal routes are possible too, TCF Canada covers both. See Quebec vs federal French tests.
IRCC accepts TCF Canada and TEF Canada for citizenship language proof (CLB/NCLC 4 in speaking and listening). TCF Tout Public is not on the list.
TCF Tout Public is common here. For French residence or nationality, France uses dedicated versions, so check what the French authority asks for.
- Myth
A TCF is a TCF: IRCC accepts any version.
FactIRCC accepts only TCF Canada (and TEF Canada). TCF Tout Public and TCF Québec do not count for Express Entry.
- Myth
I can convert my TCF Tout Public score to NCLC.
FactIRCC's NCLC chart is for TCF Canada results. A Tout Public result won't be accepted in your profile.
- Myth
TCF Canada is harder than Tout Public.
FactThe question styles are similar. The key difference is that TCF Canada requires writing and speaking.
Check yourself
1 of 3.Which TCF counts for Express Entry?
2 of 3.In TCF Tout Public, writing and speaking are…
3 of 3.You might apply federally or to Quebec. Which one test covers both?
Questions people ask
No. IRCC accepts only TCF Canada and TEF Canada for Express Entry and other federal PR programs.
TCF Canada is built for Canadian immigration: all four skills are compulsory and results convert to NCLC. TCF Tout Public is a general test where writing and speaking are optional, and IRCC does not accept it.
Yes. Quebec's immigration ministry lists TCF Canada among accepted tests, so one TCF Canada result can serve both federal and Quebec applications.
No. For citizenship, IRCC accepts TCF Canada and TEF Canada results.
Two years from the test date. For Express Entry it must be valid when you create your profile and when you submit your PR application.
Terms in this guide
Each one is defined in plain English in the TEF & TCF Canada glossary.
Sources
- IRCC: Language testing for Express Entry
- France Éducation international: TCF Canada
- Québec: French knowledge for the PSTQ
Rules and fees change. Always confirm with IRCC and your test centre before you pay.
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