TEF Canada and TCF Canada for citizenship: the scores you need and how to submit

Canadian citizenship has a language requirement, but it is much lighter than Express Entry. You need CLB/NCLC 4 in speaking and listening only, and IRCC accepts several French tests, including TEF Canada and TCF Canada. If you already took one for permanent residence, the result you have is often enough.

18–54

Ages that must send language proof

2

Skills assessed: speaking and listening

B1

Minimum on TEF Canada and TCF Canada

You must send language proof if you are between 18 and 54 years old on the day you sign your citizenship application. That applies even if English or French is your first language. Applicants aged 55 or older are not asked for language proof.

The citizenship list is wider than the Express Entry list. For PR, only TEF Canada and TCF Canada count for French. For citizenship, IRCC also accepts Québec versions and the DELF and DALF diplomas:

IRCC says it does not accept any other third-party test, even a similar one. Its paper checklist lists the "TCF" and links to TCF Canada. If your result is from a different TCF, such as TCF tout public, check with IRCC before relying on it. The differences between the Québec and Canada versions are in TEF AQ and TCF Québec vs Canada.

On France Éducation international's TCF scale, B1 starts at 300/699 in listening and 6/20 in speaking. On IRCC's Express Entry chart, NCLC 4 starts at 331 in listening and 4/20 in speaking. If you are taking a TCF Canada just for citizenship, a safe target that clears both is:

For TEF Canada, read the CEFR level shown next to listening and speaking on your attestation. If you want to compare your results with Express Entry levels, see the TCF Canada score chart and the TEF Canada score chart.

Yes. IRCC's step-by-step checker goes through these options in order. You only need one:

1. 11. Secondary or post-secondary education in English or FrenchA diploma, transcript or certificate from a program taught in English or French, in Canada or abroad. If the document is in another language, add a certified translation and proof that the language of instruction was English or French.
2. 22. The language test you sent for permanent residenceIf you submitted TEF Canada or TCF Canada with your PR application and reached B1 or higher in listening and speaking, send a copy of those results, even if they are expired.
3. 33. Government-funded LINC or CLIC trainingA certificate showing CLB/NCLC 4 or higher in speaking and listening. For training completed between January 2008 and October 2012, you tick a box and IRCC checks it electronically.
4. 44. A provincial language programSome programs in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Québec count. In Québec, MIFI and MEES French training documents can work if they show level 4 or higher.
5. 55. A new third-party testTake one of the accepted tests in the table above. Private language school certificates do not count.

This is the opposite of the 2-year PR rule. A TCF Canada you took five years ago for Express Entry can still be your citizenship proof, as long as listening and speaking were at B1 or higher.

1. 1Find your attestationUse the results you received from the test centre. Lost them? Contact the test provider (France Éducation international for TCF, Le français des affaires for TEF) or your centre.
2. 2Check listening and speakingBoth must show B1 or higher on TEF Canada or TCF Canada (Level 3 or higher for TEF tests taken on or before June 30, 2012).
3. 3Add it to your applicationOnline, follow the instructions in your account and upload a clear copy. On paper, include a copy with your application form (CIT 0002) and document checklist (CIT 0007).
4. 4Make sure it is readableIRCC returns an application unprocessed if the language proof is missing, unreadable, or in a language other than English or French without a certified translation.