TCF vs TEF vs DELF: which exam should you choose for Canada?
For Express Entry, your choice is between TCF Canada and TEF Canada: IRCC does not accept DELF. In Quebec, DELF is among the exams accepted for the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ), Quebec’s skilled worker selection programme, subject to its requirements. The right exam therefore depends on the application you are preparing. IRCC: accepted tests for Express Entry; Quebec: PSTQ requirements.
TCF stands for Test de connaissance du français; TEF stands for Test d’évaluation de français. For Express Entry, their Canada versions assess all four language skills. DELF, or Diplôme d’études en langue française, certifies a level you choose when you register.
| Criterion | TCF Canada | TEF Canada | DELF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express Entry: French | Accepted | Accepted | Not accepted |
| Quebec: PSTQ | Accepted subject to requirements | Accepted subject to requirements | Accepted subject to requirements |
| Type | Proficiency test | Proficiency test | Diploma at a chosen level: A1, A2, B1 or B2 |
| Skills | Listening, reading, speaking and writing | Listening, reading, speaking and writing | Listening, reading, speaking and writing |
| Actual testing time | 2 hr 47 min | 2 hr 55 min in total | Depends on the level chosen |
| Speaking | 3 tasks, 12 min | 2 sections, 15 min | Format varies by level |
| Price | Ask the test centre | Ask the test centre | Ask the test centre |
| Validity | Results certificate: 2 years | Results certificate: 2 years | Diploma valid for life; separate immigration rules apply |
Comparison updated on 26 September 2026. The times shown exclude check-in, breaks and waiting between tests. For the PSTQ, acceptance depends on factors including the age of your results and the required level. Confirm fees with the test centre.
Table sources: France Éducation international for TCF Canada and certificate validity, Le français des affaires for TEF Canada, and France Éducation international for DELF levels and diploma validity.
Express Entry and Quebec have different requirements
For Express Entry, your results must be less than two years old at two points: when you create your profile and when you submit your permanent residence application. A test that is still valid when you create your profile may have expired by the time you apply. IRCC requirements.
For the PSTQ, Quebec accepts DELF, TCF Canada and TEF Canada, among other exams. Results must be no more than two years old when you apply for selection. If you submit a DELF diploma, you must provide a scanned copy of the complete diploma. Lifetime validity applies to the diploma itself; it does not let you use older results for this application. The required French levels also depend on your circumstances. PSTQ requirements.
What NCLC level do you need?
NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) are the benchmarks used to interpret your French results for Express Entry. IRCC treats listening, reading, speaking and writing separately: each skill has its own result. The minimum level depends on the immigration programme. A “B2” label therefore does not automatically give you one overall NCLC level for your application. Check IRCC’s official thresholds and conversion tables.
Our TCF Canada score-to-NCLC conversion table explains how to read your results for each skill. Set a target for each of the four tests before choosing an exam date.
TCF Canada: three speaking tasks
All four TCF Canada tests are compulsory. Listening has 39 questions to complete in 35 minutes; reading has 39 questions in 60 minutes. Writing consists of three tasks in 60 minutes. The speaking test lasts 12 minutes for three tasks, including two minutes of preparation. Available test delivery options depend on the centre. Official TCF Canada format.
The tests involve 2 hours and 47 minutes of actual work, excluding check-in, breaks and waiting time. Ask the centre when you need to arrive and when you can expect to finish so you can plan your day.
Our guide to preparing for TCF Canada speaking covers practice for all three tasks.
TEF Canada: ask for information, then persuade
TEF Canada’s speaking test lasts 15 minutes and has two sections: asking for information, then persuading the person you are speaking to. Try both situations before registering: they will give you a better sense of the exam than its reputation for difficulty.
The other tests include 40 reading questions in 60 minutes, 40 listening questions in 40 minutes and two writing sections in 60 minutes: continuing an article, then stating and justifying a point of view. All four tests take place on the same day, with 2 hours and 55 minutes of actual testing time, excluding check-in, breaks and waiting. Listening, reading and writing are computer-based; speaking takes place face to face with an examiner. If you rarely type, practise writing on a computer under timed conditions too. Official TEF Canada format.
Like the TCF Canada certificate, the TEF results certificate is valid for two years. Official TEF information.
DELF: a diploma at a chosen level, valid for life
You prepare for DELF at a specific level: A1, A2, B1 or B2. You choose which level to take; the format and length of the tests depend on that choice. Once awarded, the diploma remains valid for life. You keep proof of the level you achieved even after completing your application. DELF levels; diploma validity.
For Express Entry, however, this qualification does not replace TCF Canada or TEF Canada, even at B2. For the PSTQ or a university application, check the accepted diploma, required level and any rules about the age of your results with the organisation receiving your application.
Which costs should you compare?
Test centres set TCF Canada and TEF Canada fees; TEF pricing also depends on the tests taken. Ask for a quote covering all four skills if your application requires them. Include any extra charges and travel, then check the rescheduling policy: two bookings with the same initial price can lead to different costs if you need to change dates. For DELF, ask for the fee for your chosen level and session. TCF Canada fees; TEF Canada registration.
How should you choose between TCF Canada and TEF Canada?
- Check your application requirements. For Express Entry, consider only the Canada versions of TCF or TEF. For the PSTQ, check the required levels and supporting documents before considering DELF.
- Try official practice tasks. Consult the TCF Canada resources from France Éducation international and the TEF Canada test descriptions. Work under timed conditions, especially for speaking and writing. Notice what slows you down: understanding the instructions, organising your ideas or typing.
- Compare sessions you can attend. Ask about available places, the full price, test delivery options, the expected wait for results and rescheduling conditions. Account for travel too.
- Leave some room in your schedule. Choose a date that gives you time to prepare the skills you need and, if necessary, retake the exam before your deadline. Check that your results will still be accepted when you submit your application.
If both formats suit you, session availability and preparation time may be enough to decide. Neither exam is easier for every candidate.
OralPrep offers preparation for speaking exams and has a commercial interest in this topic. We are not affiliated with any official organiser of these exams.
Frequently asked questions
Is DELF accepted for Express Entry?
No. For French, IRCC accepts TCF Canada and TEF Canada for Express Entry, but not DELF.
Is TCF Canada easier than TEF Canada?
Neither is easier for everyone. The tasks differ: try official practice materials under timed conditions to see which format suits you.
How much do TCF Canada and TEF Canada cost?
Test centres set their own fees. Ask for the price of all four tests and a breakdown of any additional charges before booking.
Is a DELF diploma that is valid for life enough to immigrate to Quebec?
The PSTQ accepts DELF among other exams, but requires results that are no more than two years old when you apply for selection. The diploma’s lifetime validity does not remove this requirement or the required French proficiency levels.
Do these rules also apply to studying or Canadian citizenship?
This article mainly compares Express Entry and the PSTQ. For study or citizenship applications, check the evidence accepted by the institution or by IRCC for that specific application.