ALMIFRENCH GUIDE
Which French test do you need?
French isn't one exam. The right test depends entirely on your goal — and the wrong one can mean zero immigration points or a diploma that doesn't count. Here is the honest version, mapped to CEFR and Canada's NCLC.
Canada PR / Express Entry
TEF Canada or TCF CanadaNCLC 7 across all four skills = up to 50 bonus CRS points (with English at CLB 5+). IRCC does NOT accept DELF/DALF for PR.
Admission or registration is not a visa — confirm current rules with IRCC, MIFI, the French authority, or the university.
Canada citizenship
TEF Canada / TCF CanadaA lower bar — around NCLC 4, with an oral focus.
Admission or registration is not a visa — confirm current rules with IRCC, MIFI, the French authority, or the university.
Quebec immigration
TEFAQ / TEF Québec or TCF QuébecQuebec uses MIFI rules (PEQ/PSTQ are in active reform) — verify the currently accepted versions and levels with MIFI.
Admission or registration is not a visa — confirm current rules with IRCC, MIFI, the French authority, or the university.
French citizenship / naturalisation
DELF B2 (since 1 Jan 2026), or TEF/TCF NaturalisationB2 is the standard since 1 January 2026. DELF B1 is for the 10-year resident card; A2 for the multi-year residence permit.
Admission or registration is not a visa — confirm current rules with IRCC, MIFI, the French authority, or the university.
Study in France
TCF DAP, or DELF B2 / DALF C1Confirm the exact requirement with the university or Campus France.
Admission or registration is not a visa — confirm current rules with IRCC, MIFI, the French authority, or the university.
A lifetime credential
DELF A1–B2 / DALF C1–C2DELF and DALF diplomas are valid for life. TEF and TCF results expire after 2 years.
Admission or registration is not a visa — confirm current rules with IRCC, MIFI, the French authority, or the university.
How the scoring differs
- TEF — each skill 0–699 → CEFR + NCLC. No single pass %.
- TCF — Listening & Reading 0–699, Speaking & Writing 0–20 → CEFR + NCLC. No single pass %.
- DELF / DALF — each skill /25, total /100; pass = 50/100 and at least 5/25 in every skill (the note éliminatoire).