If you might apply federally (Express Entry, federal PNP routes, citizenship), book TEF Canada or TCF Canada: IRCC accepts only those two. Québec’s immigration ministry accepts them too, along with TEF AQ (TEFAQ) and TCF Québec, which let you take only the modules Québec needs. So TCF Canada or TEF Canada covers both; TEF AQ and TCF Québec cover Québec only.
Key takeaways
- IRCC (federal) accepts only TEF Canada and TCF Canada.
- Québec (MIFI) accepts TEF Canada, TCF Canada, TEFAQ, TCF Québec, TEF, TCF, DELF and DALF.
- TEFAQ and TCF Québec let you take just the modules Québec needs, often only the oral ones.
- If there’s any chance you’ll use Express Entry, book the Canada version.
- Québec needs results no more than 2 years old when you apply.
On this page
Book TEF Canada or TCF Canada unless you are certain you will only ever apply through Québec. Those two are accepted by both IRCC and Québec. TEF AQ (also written TEFAQ) and TCF Québec are accepted by Québec only, and a result from them is worth nothing in Express Entry.
Who accepts which French test?
#| Test | IRCC: Express Entry, federal PR, citizenship | Québec: PSTQ and other Québec selection |
|---|---|---|
| TEF Canada | ✓ | ✓ |
| TCF Canada | ✓ | ✓ |
| TEF AQ (TEFAQ) | — | ✓ |
| TCF Québec | — | ✓ |
| TEF / TCF (Tout Public) | — | ✓ |
| DELF / DALF | — | ✓ |
How are the Québec versions different?
#- All four skills, compulsory
- Accepted by IRCC and by Québec
- Converted to NCLC for CRS points
- One sitting covers federal and Québec needs
- Choose the modules you need (e.g. oral only)
- Accepted by Québec only
- Often cheaper when you take fewer modules
- Useless for Express Entry or citizenship
Québec compares results to its own scale (the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français), and the level you need depends on the program and stream. Oral level 7 is commonly referenced for skilled workers, and some streams also require written French. Check your stream on Québec’s French-knowledge page before you choose modules.
Which should you book?
#Book TEF Canada or TCF Canada. They are equal for IRCC: see TEF vs TCF Canada. NCLC 7 in all four skills adds +25 or +50 CRS and opens French category draws.
TEF AQ or TCF Québec can save time and money if Québec needs only the oral skills for your stream. But if seats are scarce, TEF Canada or TCF Canada works just as well for Québec.
Book TCF Canada or TEF Canada. One result keeps both doors open for 2 years. Taking a Québec-only test now could mean paying and sitting again later.
Where do you take them in Québec?
#In Montréal, McGill’s Language Test Centre and UQAM both run TEF Canada; McGill also offers TEF AQ. Registration at McGill opens about three weeks before each date. See TEF Canada in Montréal for how each centre releases seats.
- Myth
TCF Québec is accepted for Express Entry because Québec is in Canada.
FactNo. IRCC accepts only TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French.
- Myth
Québec won’t accept TCF Canada.
FactIt does. Québec’s list includes TCF Canada and TEF Canada.
- Myth
A DELF B2 diploma gives me CRS points.
FactNo. DELF and DALF can count for Québec, but IRCC gives CRS points only for TEF Canada and TCF Canada.
Check yourself
1 of 3.Which result can you use for both Express Entry and Québec’s PSTQ?
2 of 3.What is the main advantage of TEF AQ or TCF Québec?
3 of 3.How old can your results be when you apply to Québec?
Questions people ask
No. IRCC accepts only TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French. TEF AQ is for Québec immigration only.
Yes. Québec accepts TCF Canada and TEF Canada, as well as TCF Québec, TEFAQ, TEF, TCF, DELF and DALF.
TCF Canada tests all four skills and is accepted by IRCC and Québec. TCF Québec lets you choose modules and is accepted by Québec only.
Any test on Québec’s list works. TCF Québec or TEF AQ can be cheaper if you need only oral skills; TCF Canada or TEF Canada keeps Express Entry open too.
Québec requires results that are two years old or less on the date you apply.
Terms in this guide
- TCF Québec
- TEF Québec
- CRS
- Express Entry
- Category-based draw
- French-language proficiency draw
- NCLC
- TCF Canada
Each one is defined in plain English in the TEF & TCF Canada glossary.
Sources
- Québec: Demonstrate your knowledge of French (PSTQ)
- IRCC: Language testing for Express Entry
- Le français des affaires: TEF Québec
- McGill Language Test Centre: TEF Canada and TEFAQ
Rules and fees change. Always confirm with IRCC and your test centre before you pay.
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