In Brazil, the Aliança Francesa São Paulo runs both TEF Canada and TCF Canada at its Faria Lima unit. It posts one session of each at a time, you register by online form and pay by boleto (the last sessions were R$1,550 for TEF Canada and R$1,335 for TCF Canada). In Mexico, the Alianza Francesa de México in Polanco runs TEF Canada only, on published dates (6 November, 24 November and 11 December 2026 remain), and you register by email at least 8 days before.
Key takeaways
- São Paulo: TEF Canada and TCF Canada, one session of each on sale at a time.
- São Paulo books by online form, then a boleto by email 2–3 working days later; unpaid means cancelled.
- Mexico City: TEF Canada only, about every 2–4 weeks; email the Polanco reception 8+ days ahead.
- Backups: L’Alliance New York (US$399) and the Canadian centres, if you can travel.
- We monitor São Paulo and Mexico City only; other cities may run sessions on request.
On this page
Latin America has fewer centres for French tests for Canada than Africa or India, and the two we track work in completely different ways. São Paulo sells a session through an online form and a boleto. Mexico City publishes a list of dates and asks you to email. Both accept results that IRCC treats exactly like those taken in Canada: TEF Canada or TCF Canada, all four skills, same sitting.
- 2
- Centres we track: São Paulo and Mexico City
- R$1,335–1,850
- São Paulo fees seen in 2026 (TCF / TEF)
- 8 days
- Minimum notice to register in Mexico City
Where can you take TEF Canada in Brazil and Mexico?
#| Centre | Exams | Fee | How you book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aliança Francesa São Paulo | TEF Canada + TCF Canada | TEF R$1,550 on the last session page (R$1,850 on the TEF page); TCF R$1,335 | Online form, then boleto |
| Alianza Francesa de México, Polanco | TEF Canada only | Not published; ask reception | Email at least 8 days before a published date |
How do you book TEF or TCF Canada in São Paulo?
#The Aliança Francesa São Paulo holds its exams at the Faria Lima unit, Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 2421, in Pinheiros. It puts one TEF Canada session and one TCF Canada session at a time in its online exam shop. Each shows as available or sold out, with no seat count. When we checked on 22 October 2026, the shop said “Ainda não há nenhum exame disponível”: the October sessions had passed and the next ones weren’t posted yet. New sessions appear on TEF Canada dates in Brazil and TCF Canada dates in Brazil as soon as we see them.
- 1Read the exam information documentIt’s linked on the centre’s TEF and TCF pages and covers venue, days, times, payment and cancellation.
- 2Fill in the online form for the sessionRegistration is online only. Choose the right exam and the complete set of tests: the centre won’t transfer a TEF Canada registration to another exam or date.
- 3Type your name exactly as on your RG or passportThese details are printed on your results certificate.
- 4Wait for the boletoIt arrives by email 2–3 working days after you register.
- 5Pay it in full before the due dateBoleto bancário, single payment. If it’s unpaid by the due date, the registration is cancelled automatically and you may lose the seat.
- Minimum age: 16 for the TEF.
- TCF kit: bring an original photo ID and your own headphones with a P2 (3.5 mm) jack. Without them you can’t sit the test.
- Refunds and transfers: only with a medical certificate (sworn translation) delivered within 48 hours before or after the exam; 10% is kept and refunds take 4–6 months.
- Gaps between attempts: the centre sets 2 months between TEF dates and 30 days between TCF registrations for the same exam.
- Results: TEF Canada results come from CCI Paris Île-de-France 4–6 weeks after the exam. Certificates can be collected or posted for R$45.
- Help: exames@aliancafrancesa.com.br, or WhatsApp (11) 3572-2377 for the TCF.
How do you book TEF Canada in Mexico City?
#The Alianza Francesa de México runs TEF Canada at its Polanco centre, Sócrates 156. It does not run TCF Canada. It publishes its TEF session dates for the year, roughly every two to four weeks, and you register by email at least 8 days before the session. There’s no online form.
| Session | Register by (8 days before) | Status on 22 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 23 Oct 2026 | 15 Oct 2026 | Closed |
| 6 Nov 2026 | 29 Oct 2026 | Open |
| 24 Nov 2026 | 16 Nov 2026 | Open |
| 11 Dec 2026 | 3 Dec 2026 | Open |
The page lists the dates under TEF in general, without saying which version each session runs, so confirm that your date includes TEF Canada when you email. No 2027 dates were published yet. We track them on TEF Canada dates in Mexico.
- 1Pick a date from the listAim for one at least two to three weeks away. Eight days is the minimum, and late-year sessions can still fill.
- 2Decide which tests you needAll four (written and oral comprehension, written and oral expression) for immigration. Only the two oral tests for citizenship.
- 3Email the Polanco receptionrecepcionpolanco@alianzafrancesamx.edu.mx, with your chosen date, “TEF Canada”, the four tests and your name as on your passport. Ask the fee and how to pay.
- 4Follow up by phone or WhatsApp+52 55 1084 4190 ext. 1001/1002 or WhatsApp 55 2937 1869. Reception is open Monday–Thursday 07:00–20:00, Friday 08:00–18:00 and Saturday 09:00–14:00.
TEF Canada or TCF Canada?
#In Mexico the choice is made for you: TEF Canada. In São Paulo you can pick either. TCF Canada was cheaper on the last sessions, and its 30-day retake gap is shorter than the 2-month TEF gap the centre applies. IRCC converts both to the same NCLC levels. Neither exam has a single pass mark. Compare formats in TEF vs TCF Canada and work out the score you need with the target score calculator.
What are the backup options in the US and Canada?
#If the next São Paulo session is too far off, or you need TCF Canada in Mexico, the nearest centres we track are in North America. Check your visa situation before you book: a seat doesn’t help if you can’t enter the country on exam day.
| Centre | Exams | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| L’Alliance New York | TEF + TCF Canada | US$399 (US$350 members) plus US$15 admin fee; deadlines about 10–14 days before |
| Alliance Française de Toronto | TEF + TCF Canada | Quarterly releases at 10:00 Toronto time; next on 1 December 2026 |
| McGill, Montréal | TEF Canada | Wednesdays about every two weeks; registration opens about three weeks before |
More detail is in TEF and TCF Canada in New York and TEF Canada in Montréal. Use the finder below to rank centres by distance from your city.
- Myth
I can pay by card in São Paulo.
FactThe centre lists boleto bancário, single payment, as the method for both TEF and TCF.
- Myth
Mexico City runs TCF Canada too.
FactIt offers TEF, including TEF Canada, but not TCF.
- Myth
I can switch my São Paulo TEF to a later date if I’m not ready.
FactThe centre doesn’t transfer TEF Canada registrations to another date or exam, except with a medical certificate.
- Myth
Emailing Mexico City the day before is fine.
FactYou must register at least 8 days before the session.
Based in Europe or with travel plans there? See TEF Canada in Paris and the other approved centres in France.
Booking-day checklist
#Check yourself
1 of 3.How do you pay in São Paulo?
2 of 3.You want the 24 November 2026 TEF in Mexico City. What’s the latest day to register?
3 of 3.Which exam can you take in Mexico City?
Questions people ask
The last TEF Canada session page listed R$1,550, while the TEF page still says R$1,850. TCF Canada was R$1,335. Check the amount on your boleto.
The Alianza Francesa de México doesn’t publish the fee on its TEF page. Ask the Polanco reception when you email to register.
CCI Paris Île-de-France releases them 4–6 weeks after the exam, according to the centre. The certificate is valid for 2 years.
Not at the Mexico City centre we track, which runs TEF only. The nearest TCF Canada centres we track are in the US and Canada.
Yes, for immigration. If one result isn’t good enough, you retake all four. See the retake rules.
For citizenship you only need the two oral tests. Mexico City lets you book just those; for Express Entry you need all four.
Terms in this guide
- Le français des affaires
- Live seat count
- Result validity
- TCF Tout Public
- Registration window
- Express Entry
- Alliance Française
- IRCC
Each one is defined in plain English in the TEF & TCF Canada glossary.
Sources
- Aliança Francesa São Paulo: TEF
- Aliança Francesa São Paulo: TCF
- Alianza Francesa de México: Certificación TEF
- Federación de Alianzas Francesas de México: TCF/TEF/DFP
Rules and fees change. Always confirm with IRCC and your test centre before you pay.
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