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TEF Canada
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Planning to immigrate to Canada? Would you like to become a Canadian citizen?

Certify your French language skills with TEF Canada, recognized since 2002 by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).

Attention

The TEF Canada is intended for: 

  • certain immigration and citizenship procedures in Canada, according to the rules of Canadian federal authorities;
  • proving your level of French to Canadian professional orders that officially accept the TEF Canada. 

Your results are valid for these uses. 

For any questions regarding your situation, you can contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

If you wish to use your results for another procedure, please contact us.We can inform you whether the TEF Canada is suitable or direct you to another TEF or another French assessment that better matches your project.

What are the compulsory TEF Canada tests?

For an immigration application to Canada, you must take 4 tests:

Reading comprehension

Objective: Measure your ability to read and understand written documents.

Content: 40 questions

Duration: 1 hour

Format: Multiple choice questionnaire (MCQ)

Scale:
Correct answer = +1 point
Wrong answer / No answer = 0 points

Listening comprehension

Objective: Measure your ability to understand spoken French by listening to audio documents.

Content: 40 questions

Duration: 40 minutes

Format: Multiple choice questionnaire (MCQ)

Scale:
Correct answer = +1 point
Wrong answer / No answer = 0 points

Written expression

Objectif : Mesurer votre capacité à vous exprimer en français à l’écrit. 

Contenu : 2 sections 

Durée : 1 heure 

Format : L’épreuve comporte deux sections, A et B.

  • Section A – 25 minutes
    Écrire la suite d’un article (80 mots minimum)
  • Section B – 35 minutes
    Exprimer son point de vue et le justifier (200 mots minimum)

Orale expression

Objective: Measure your ability to communicate orally with an interlocutor.

Content: 2 sections 

Duration: 15 minutes in total  

Format: The test is divided into two sections, A and B.

Section A – 5 minutes
Obtaining information
Section B – 10 minutes
Expressing an argument to convince

For a Canadian citizenship application, ou must take 2 compulsory tests:

Listening comprehension

Objective: Measure your ability to understand spoken French by listening to audio documents.

Content: 40 questions

Duration: 40 minutes

Format: Multiple choice questionnaire (MCQ)

Scale:
Correct answer = +1 point
Wrong answer / No answer = 0 points

Oral expression

Objective: Measure your ability to communicate orally with an interlocutor.

Content: 2 sections

Duration: 15 minutes in total

Format: The test is divided into two sections, A and B.

  • Section A – 5 minutes
    Obtaining information
  • Section B – 10 minutes
    Expressing an argument to convince

Please note! All tests must be taken on the same day for your certificate to be recognized by the Canadian authorities.

Useful links

Further information

How long is my test valid for ?

Your results certificate is valid for 2 years (from the date of issue).

How can I find out more about immigration procedures in Canada?

For the latest official information on immigration to Canada, visit the IRCC website.

What level do I need to achieve on the TEF Canada?

For immigration procedures to Canada:

The minimum required level varies depending on the program to which you are applying. For example, an NCLC 7 level in all tests is required under the Express Entry program, whereas an NCLC 5 level is required under the Francophone Mobility program.

To determine the required level for each program, please consult the Canadian IRCC website.

For citizenship procedures:

A minimum NCLC 4 level is required for the oral expression and listening comprehension tests.

Further information is available on the Canadian IRCC website.

Existe-t-il des cas de dispenses au TEF Canada ?

Are there any TEF Canade exemptions ?

For immigration to Canada

Depending on the immigration program, the French test is not always compulsory. To find out more, visit the Canadian IRCC website.

For citizenship applications

To find out about TEF Canada exemptions, visit the Canadian IRCC website.

What is the policy for processing my personal data?

When you register for TEF Canada, Le français des affaires of the CCI Paris Ile-de-France collects a certain amount of information in order to process your application and in accordance with Canadian immigration laws.

If you achieve the required level, your personal data will be made available to the Canadian authorities. It is not communicated to other third parties. If you object to this transmission or if you modify or delete data, your immigration or citizenship application cannot be processed by the Canadian authorities.

Your data will be kept by Le français des affaires of the CCI Paris Ile-de-France for 10 years. Data that may be transmitted to Canadian authorities will be stored in accordance with Canadian law.

The information collected may also be processed for the purpose of carrying out studies and surveys in order to improve our services. In this context, data collected during surveys is not communicated to third parties and is kept for a period of one year.

In accordance with the French Data Protection Act of January 6, 1978, as amended, and the Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016-679, and within the framework and limits set by these texts, you may exercise your right to access data concerning you and have it rectified or deleted, which you may do by contacting francais@cci-paris-idf.fr or, in the event of difficulty, the Data Protection Officer at cpdp@cci-paris-idf.fr.

Finally, you can file a complaint with the CNIL, 3 Place de Fontenoy – TSA 80715 – 75334 PARIS CEDEX 07.

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