In Montréal, TEF Canada is run by the McGill University Language Test Centre and by UQAM’s language assessment centre. McGill opens registration for each date about three weeks before the exam and closes it at noon on the Thursday six days before the Wednesday test; UQAM’s online shop shows the places left per session. Book TEF Canada (not TEFAQ) if you need the result for Express Entry.
Key takeaways
- McGill and UQAM both run TEF Canada in our directory.
- McGill: registration opens ~3 weeks before each date, closes at noon on the Thursday six days before.
- UQAM: online shop shows places left per session.
- For Express Entry, book TEF Canada, not TEFAQ. TEF Canada also works for Québec.
- For TCF Canada in Montréal, check France Éducation international’s centre list.
On this page
Montréal has two main TEF Canada centres: the McGill University Language Test Centre, which describes itself as Canada’s largest accredited TEF centre, and UQAM’s Centre d’évaluation de compétences linguistiques. Both release each exam date on a short cycle, a few weeks ahead, so timing matters more than anything else.
How do McGill and UQAM release seats?
#- Runs TEF Canada (and TEFAQ)
- Registration for each date opens about 3 weeks before
- Closes at noon on the Thursday six days before the Wednesday test
- Dates can sell out before registration closes
- Offers the TEF (including TEF Canada), not the TCF
- Online shop shows places left per session
- Sessions mostly on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9:00
- Book and pay online (Visa, Mastercard, Amex)
McGill’s registration for each date is open for only about two weeks, and UQAM’s sessions can sell out, so you have a narrow window for each date. Miss it and the next date is your only option. Centre pages: McGill and UQAM, or see every TEF Canada date in Canada.
TEF Canada or TEFAQ: which one do you book in Montréal?
#Book TEF Canada, all four modules. IRCC does not accept TEFAQ or TCF Québec.
Québec accepts TEFAQ, TEF Canada and several other tests. TEFAQ lets you take only the modules Québec needs. See TEF AQ and TCF Québec vs TEF/TCF Canada.
Book TEF Canada with all four modules. It is accepted by both IRCC and Québec, so you keep every option open.
Applying to Québec rather than through Express Entry? Check the French level for Québec immigration (PSTQ) first.
Can you take TCF Canada in Montréal?
#Our directory tracks McGill and UQAM, which both run TEF Canada. Other accredited centres in and around Montréal may offer TCF Canada; check France Éducation international’s official centre list before you plan around it. Our test centre finder shows the nearest centres we track. For IRCC, TEF Canada and TCF Canada are worth exactly the same, so if TEF is what’s available, take it. See TEF vs TCF Canada.
How do you book TEF Canada in Montréal?
#- 1Find the next opening dateWork back about three weeks from each McGill exam date. That is roughly when registration opens. More on timing in when to book TEF or TCF Canada.
- 2Prepare your detailsPassport number, name exactly as on the passport, payment card. The registration day playbook covers the rest.
- 3Book as soon as it opensPay in one go. A seat is only held once payment goes through.
- 4Watch UQAM in parallelIts seat counts move independently. A place there may appear when McGill is full.
How much is TEF Canada in Montréal?
#Canadian centres charge roughly CA$390–436 for the full four-module TEF Canada in 2026, and each sets its own price. Check McGill’s or UQAM’s current fee before paying. Our fee guide compares centres. New to the process? See how booking a French test works in Canada.
- Myth
TEFAQ is the same as TEF Canada, just for Montréal.
FactThey are different tests. IRCC accepts only TEF Canada; TEFAQ is for Québec processes.
- Myth
If McGill is full, I have to wait a month.
FactUQAM runs its own sessions and its online shop shows the places left, so check it too.
- Myth
I can always register a few days before the exam.
FactMcGill closes each date at noon on the Thursday six days before the test, and dates at either centre can sell out well before that.
Questions people ask
The McGill University Language Test Centre and UQAM’s language assessment centre both run TEF Canada. Other accredited centres may exist; check Le français des affaires’ centre list.
On a Thursday about three weeks before each exam date. Registration closes at noon on the Thursday six days before the Wednesday test.
No. IRCC accepts only TEF Canada and TCF Canada. TEFAQ is accepted by Québec, not by IRCC.
McGill and UQAM run TEF Canada. For TCF Canada, check France Éducation international’s list of accredited centres, which changes over time. The nearest TCF Canada centre we track is AF Ottawa, about two hours away.
Canadian centres generally charge about CA$390–436 for all four modules. Check McGill’s or UQAM’s site for the current price.
Terms in this guide
- TEF Québec
- FEI
- Exam session
- Registration window
- TCF Québec
- Live seat count
- Express Entry
- Le français des affaires
Each one is defined in plain English in the TEF & TCF Canada glossary.
Sources
- McGill Language Test Centre: TEF Canada
- Le français des affaires: TEF Canada
- IRCC: Language testing for Express Entry
Rules and fees change. Always confirm with IRCC and your test centre before you pay.
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