TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français) is one of the French language tests accepted by IRCC for immigration pathways such as Express Entry. IRCC lists TEF Canada as an approved language test, and the test is administered through official test centres managed by Le français des affaires (CCI Paris Île-de-France).
This guide walks you through the registration process from choosing a test centre to receiving your certificate, with the small details that usually cause stress (email validation, matching ID, cancellation rules, and how results are delivered).
Before you register: confirm what you’re registering for
Immigration vs citizenship = different required tests
TEF Canada can be used for Canadian immigration programs and for citizenship procedures. According to the official TEF Canada test description:
- For an immigration application, you take 4 tests: reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
- For a citizenship application, you take 2 tests: listening and speaking.
Also note the same official page states that all tests must be taken on the same day for the certificate to be recognized by Canadian authorities.
| Purpose | Required Components | Goal |
|---|---|---|
Immigration (PR) | Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking | Express Entry / PNP |
| Citizenship | Listening, Speaking | Canadian Citizenship Grant |
Minimum age to sit TEF Canada
The official registration information says you must be at least 16 years old to take TEF Canada. You’ll see this on the TEF Canada registration page. If you’re under 16, you can still prepare (especially speaking and listening), but you won’t be able to book the test yet.
Step 1: Find an official TEF Canada test centre
You don’t book TEF Canada directly with IRCC. You book it with an official test centre. Le français des affaires explains that TEF sessions are offered by 500+ official centres worldwide, and each centre organizes its own sessions and registration flow. Start here: find an official exam centre.
How the “find a centre” tool works
On the official centre finder page, you can search by location, choose the exam, choose a preferred date, and then see upcoming sessions at nearby centres. The page also explains that the centre is your single point of contact for:
- pre-registration and registration
- validating your email
- sending your invitation/convocation
- any cancellations
That’s why the first “real” step is choosing a centre you can actually reach and communicate with reliably.
Step 2: Pre-register (or contact the centre) to start your booking
Once you’ve identified a suitable centre and session date, you’ll either pre-register through the official search portal (linked from the centre finder) or contact the centre directly to begin registration. The registration page summarizes this as “register directly for a TEF Canada session at one of our official test centres.” You can review the official wording on the TEF Canada registration steps.
1
Find Centre
Use the official map to check availability.
2
Contact/Pre-register
Send ID info and select your test date.
3
Pay Fee
Registration is only confirmed after payment.
4
Receive Convocation
Check email for your official invitation.
5
Test Day
Bring the exact same ID you registered with.
What information you should have ready
During pre-registration/registration, expect to provide details that match your identity document. The official registration conditions describe collecting information such as your name, date of birth, email address, and identity document details for the registration process. Read the full details in the registration and test-taking conditions (French page).
Choose the correct set of tests
For most Canadian immigration pathways (including Express Entry), you’ll need results for all 4 abilities. IRCC’s Express Entry page explains you must take an approved test and enter the results in your profile, and it lists TEF Canada under accepted tests. If you’re registering specifically for citizenship procedures, TEF Canada uses listening and speaking only, as described on the official TEF Canada overview.
Step 3: Pay the fee and finalize your registration
Prices are not set globally by one central checkout. The official registration page states that registration fees are set by the test centre and can vary by centre and by the number of tests you’re taking. Check the fee and payment method with your centre via the registration instructions and your centre’s email guidance.
Important: pre-registration is not the same as a confirmed booking
The official registration conditions explain that pre-registration is transmitted to the centre, and the centre contacts you to finalize the registration and tells you how to pay. The same conditions also note that without payment, the registration can’t be finalized. If you like having the exact rule in writing, check the conditions page.
Cancellation and “no-show” reality
TEF Canada is not a “cancel anytime for a full refund” type of booking. The official registration page states that registration is firm and final, and it explains what you must do if you have major reasons for absence (with supporting proof) so your situation can be reviewed. See the official cancellation guidance for the current wording, and remember your centre is the one that handles the practical steps.
Step 4: Watch your email (and activate your candidate account if prompted)
After your registration is validated, the official registration page says your test centre will email you further information. If you have not received anything a week before the exam date, it specifically suggests checking your junk/spam folder and contacting your test centre. This is on the TEF Canada registration page.
Candidate account: why it matters
Le français des affaires also provides an official PDF guide for the candidate account. The guide shows that after pre-registration, you may receive an activation email and then set your password (it illustrates using “forgot password” to create your first password), and it explains where to view account details and documents. If you want the official screenshots and menu names, use the candidate account user guide (PDF).
Even if your centre manages most of the process, your best habit is simple: keep one folder in your inbox for TEF emails (centre messages, invitations/convocations, and certificate delivery messages), and check spam regularly during the final week.
Step 5: Make sure your ID and your personal details match exactly
On test day, the centre will verify your identity. The official conditions state you must present a photo ID and accept being photographed and signing attendance, and that the speaking test is recorded. They also state that for TEF Canada, the identity document must match the one presented at registration and the one you’ll use in Canadian immigration/citizenship procedures. These rules are described in the registration and test-taking conditions.
Critical Requirement
The ID you use to register = The ID you bring to the test = The ID you use for Express Entry. If these don't match, you may face delays or rejection.
Translation into real-life action: register with the same ID you’ll use later (usually your passport), and type your name exactly as it appears on that ID (including spacing, order, and accents if applicable). Fixing mistakes after the exam can be difficult or impossible, so treat your spelling and date of birth as “locked” data.
Step 6: Take the test (what the day looks like)
Modern & Computerized
Expect a professional computer station with headphones. The interface is digital for Reading, Listening, and Writing. Speaking is recorded.
The official “take the test” instructions say you must arrive at the time shown on your invitation. The supervisor checks your ID and invitation, asks you to validate your personal information, and you sign on a tablet. This information appears on your results certificate, so the page tells candidates to check their details carefully. See the official test day instructions.
Test format basics you should know before you walk in
Even though this is a registration guide, one format detail helps you plan your day: the official instructions state that the reading, listening, and writing tests are computer-based and the supervisor provides an access code to log into the test platform. This is also explained on the take the test page.
The same page lists practical rules (for example, electronic devices must be off and you cannot use a dictionary). Don’t rely on memory—review those rules the day before so you don’t lose time or get stressed at check-in.
Step 7: Receive your results and download your certificate
TEF Canada does not automatically issue a paper certificate. The official certificate page states:
- Results are sent within 1 to 10 business days from test day.
- You receive an email with a link to an online digital safe where you download your results certificate.
- Results are valid for two years.
- The certificate is stored for 10 years by their services, so you should save it for your own records.
All of the above details are on the official “Get your certificate” page.
What your certificate shows
The official “understand your results” page explains that your certificate includes a score for each test on a 0–699 scale, a CEFR level (A1 to C2), and a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level (1 to 12). You can confirm these fields on the official results explanation page.
Step 8: Use your TEF Canada results correctly for IRCC
For Express Entry, IRCC explains you must take an approved test, pay the costs, and enter the results in your profile (including the certificate number and PIN if the system asks). The most reliable place to re-check these rules is the IRCC language test results page for Express Entry.
Validity timing (don’t let your score expire)
Even if your certificate says “valid for two years,” what matters is IRCC’s timing rule for your application. For Express Entry, IRCC states your test results must be less than 2 years old when you complete your profile and when you submit your permanent residence application. Review the current wording under “How long your results are valid for” on the official Express Entry language test page.
Certificate number and PIN (and which scores to use)
The official TEF certificate page explains how to identify the certificate number and PIN used for IRCC entry (it describes them as the two parts of the attestation number separated by a hyphen). It also warns you to use the scores from the “Old score equivalence” column when completing your IRCC online profile. If you want the exact guidance, see the IRCC portal notes on the certificate page.
Quick checklist (do this before you click “confirm”)
- Choose the correct test set (4 tests for immigration, 2 for citizenship) and remember all tests must be taken on the same day.
- Pick an official centre using the centre finder and confirm a realistic date you can attend.
- Use the same identity document for registration and test day (and for your Canadian process later).
- Type your name and date of birth exactly as on your ID—no “close enough.”
- Ask the centre about fees and payment (fees vary by centre and number of tests).
- Watch your email for confirmation and your invitation; check spam during the final week.
- Plan your timing so your results will still be valid when you submit to IRCC.
FAQ
What if there’s no TEF Canada centre in my country?
The official registration steps say that if you can’t find a TEF Canada centre in your country, you can use the provider’s official contact form. In practice, many candidates travel to a nearby country for a session, but confirm logistics with the centre before committing to travel.
Can I retake TEF Canada quickly if I don’t like my score?
The official certificate page states you can take TEF Canada as many times as you like, but it also notes there is a 20-day waiting period between two successive tests. Verify the current rule on the TEF Canada certificate page before you plan a retake timeline.
I only need speaking and listening for my plan—can I register for just those?
It depends on your purpose. TEF Canada itself has different required components depending on whether you’re using it for immigration or for citizenship procedures, as shown on the official TEF Canada overview. Separately, specific IRCC programs may focus on certain abilities, but you should always follow the program’s official document checklist and the test’s official registration rules so you don’t end up with the wrong certificate for your application.
If you want, tell me your target pathway (for example: Express Entry, a work permit route, or citizenship), and I’ll map your registration choice (which tests to book) to what the official requirements typically ask for—using only IRCC and the official TEF provider pages.