In Halifax, Alliance Française de Halifax (5509 Young St.) runs both TEF Canada (CAD 390) and TCF Canada (CAD 400). It sells dates in its online store, where each date shows Add to cart or Full, and says it usually publishes the calendar 30 to 45 days ahead, although recent batches went on sale up to about 12 weeks before the exam. Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada, Memorial University in St. John’s runs both exams for Newfoundland and Labrador residents only, so most candidates’ backups are Montréal and Ottawa.
Key takeaways
- AF Halifax runs TEF Canada (CAD 390) and TCF Canada (CAD 400).
- Dates are sold in its online store; your seat is confirmed only once payment is received.
- New dates usually go up 30–45 days ahead, sometimes up to about 12 weeks.
- Dates are firm and fees aren’t refundable. Leave 20 days between two sittings.
- Memorial University (St. John’s) tests Newfoundland and Labrador residents only.
On this page
Alliance Française de Halifax is the main place to take TEF Canada or TCF Canada in the Maritimes. It runs both, sells them in an online store, and publishes dates in batches. Because it sells both exams to anyone, it is also worth watching for candidates elsewhere in Canada whose own city is sold out.
- CAD 390
- TEF Canada, all 4 modules
- CAD 400
- TCF Canada, all 4 modules
- 30–45 days
- Usual lead time for new dates
How does AF Halifax release dates?
#The centre says it usually updates its calendar 30 to 45 days in advance. In practice, recent batches have gone on sale up to about 12 weeks before the exam. If you see no dates, the centre says either every slot is taken or the next batch isn’t published yet. Each date in the store shows Add to cart or Full, with no seat count.
How do you book in Halifax?
#- 1Open the TEF Canada or TCF Canada pageCheck the calendar. If nothing shows, sessions are full or not yet published.
- 2Add your date to the cartFill in the registration form carefully; the centre uses those details to confirm your booking.
- 3Pay in fullThrough the online store, by Visa or Mastercard over the phone, or by Interac e-Transfer.
- 4Upload your passport (TEF)For TEF Canada, a scanned copy of your passport is required when you book.
- 5Wait for the convocationIt arrives by email 7–10 days before the test. Bring it and valid official photo ID.
Accommodation requests need supporting documents, such as a doctor’s note, at the time of registration. Questions go to exam@afhalifax.ca or 902-580-8284, Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:00 Atlantic time. If you are booking from another province, check the opening time against your own clock. Our guide to booking TEF or TCF within Canada covers the other centres.
TEF or TCF in Halifax?
#- CAD 390 for all four modules
- Passport scan uploaded at booking
- All four tests taken the same day
- Scored by Le français des affaires (CCI Paris)
- CAD 400 for all four modules
- Certificate emailed 15 business days after the test
- Contest a result within 30 days of receiving it
- Scored by France Éducation international
IRCC treats both the same, and both convert to the same NCLC levels. Being open to either doubles the dates you can book. The TEF or TCF quiz helps if you’re unsure, and TEF vs TCF Canada covers the format differences.
What are AF Halifax’s rules on changes and retakes?
#| Situation | What the centre says |
|---|---|
| Change of date | Dates are firm. A change is considered only for exceptional circumstances, with documents sent at least 7 days before the test. |
| Refund | Fees are not refundable under any circumstances. |
| Move to another Alliance Française | Not possible. |
| Late arrival | Not admitted once the test has started. |
| Refused entry (e.g. no passport) | Fee lost; you must wait one month before applying again. |
| Retake | At least 20 days between two sessions of the same test. |
The 20-day gap matches the wider rule in our retake guide. TEF and TCF are run by different bodies, so a TEF sitting doesn’t block a TCF booking. General policies at other centres are in rescheduling and refunds.
What are the options elsewhere in Atlantic Canada?
#Fewer than you might hope. We checked for other centres with published TEF Canada or TCF Canada sessions in the four Atlantic provinces, and only one other turned up with its own official page: Memorial University’s DELF centre in St. John’s, which limits both exams to Newfoundland and Labrador residents.
| Centre | Exams | Who can book | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AF Halifax | TEF + TCF Canada | Anyone | Online store; CAD 390 / 400 |
| Memorial University, St. John’s | TEF + TCF Canada | Newfoundland and Labrador residents only | TCF Canada CAD 460; more TCF sessions from February 2027, registration link expected in December 2026 |
| McGill, Montréal | TEF Canada | Anyone | Wednesday tests about every two weeks; registration opens about 3 weeks before |
| UQAM, Montréal | TEF Canada | Anyone | Online shop shows places left |
| AF Ottawa | TEF + TCF Canada | Anyone | Online portal; dates have gone on sale about ten weeks ahead |
Watch Halifax first. If it shows nothing for your deadline, add Montréal, where McGill and UQAM both run TEF Canada.
Halifax is usually the nearest centre with dates sold online. Montréal is the next option, and for TCF Canada, Ottawa. Check any closer centre’s own page before you rely on it.
You can use Memorial University (email cltc@mun.ca), which tests residents of the province only. Its next TCF Canada sessions start in February 2027. Halifax is the backup if you need a date sooner.
- Myth
No dates in the Halifax store means the year is sold out.
FactThe centre says it may simply not have published the next batch. It usually adds dates 30–45 days ahead.
- Myth
Anyone can book TCF Canada at Memorial University.
FactMemorial says it offers TEF Canada and TCF Canada to Newfoundland and Labrador residents only.
- Myth
If my plans change, I can move my Halifax booking to Montréal.
FactAF Halifax says bookings can’t be moved to another Alliance Française, and fees aren’t refunded.
You can also browse every TEF Canada date in Canada and TCF Canada date in Canada in one list.
Questions people ask
At Alliance Française de Halifax, 5509 Young St., Halifax, NS B3K 1Z7. It runs both TEF Canada and TCF Canada.
CAD 390 for all four modules. TCF Canada is CAD 400. The centre says fees may change without notice and are non-refundable.
The centre says it usually updates its calendar 30 to 45 days in advance. Recent batches went on sale up to about 12 weeks before the exam.
The centre emails the official certificate 15 business days after the test. For TEF Canada timelines, see how long results take.
Memorial University’s DELF centre in St. John’s offers TEF Canada and TCF Canada to Newfoundland and Labrador residents only. Contact cltc@mun.ca.
Only in exceptional circumstances, with supporting documents sent at least 7 days before the test. Otherwise the date is firm and the fee is not refunded.
Terms in this guide
- Convocation
- Alliance Française
- Unannounced drop
- Live seat count
- FEI
- Le français des affaires
- Registration window
- Exam session
Each one is defined in plain English in the TEF & TCF Canada glossary.
Sources
- AF Halifax: TEF Canada
- AF Halifax: TCF Canada
- AF Halifax: TCF registration steps and contact
- Memorial University DELF Centre: TCF 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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