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 a Thursday two weeks before; UQAM shows seats left per session and closes about 14 days before. 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 Thursday two weeks before.
- UQAM: live seats-left count; closes ~14 days before or when full.
- 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 des 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 a Thursday, two weeks before the exam
- Seats can go within hours of opening
- Runs TEF Canada only (our directory)
- Booking page shows seats left per session
- Closes about 14 days before the exam, or earlier when full
- Returned seats reappear on the page
Because both centres close registration roughly two weeks before the exam, you have a narrow window for each date. Miss it and the next date is your only option. Centre pages: McGill and UQAM.
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.
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. 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.
- 2Prepare your detailsPassport number, name exactly as on the passport, payment card.
- 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$380–475 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.
- 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 with a live seat count, and returned seats reappear at both.
- Myth
I can register the week before the exam.
FactBoth centres close registration about two weeks before each exam date.
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.
About three weeks before each exam date. Registration closes at noon on a Thursday, two weeks before the exam.
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.
Canadian centres generally charge about CA$380–475 for all four modules. Check McGill’s or UQAM’s site for the current price.
Terms in this guide
- TEF Québec
- FEI
- Live seat count
- Exam session
- Registration window
- TCF Québec
- Le français des affaires
- Express Entry
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.
Your next step
Don’t miss the next seat.
Pick your cities. We check every booking page around the clock and alert you the moment a seat opens.