Short answer: Canada's immigration authority accepts exactly two French tests for Express Entry — TEF Canada and TCF Canada. Neither is easier. The decision that actually costs people their application is not which test to take, but reading the score report correctly afterwards: with TEF Canada you must use the Équivalence ancien score column and ignore the Score / 699 figure entirely.
This guide covers what IRCC accepts, how scores convert to NCLC levels, the minimums for each program, and the traps that get applications refused.
What IRCC accepts
| Language | Accepted tests |
|---|---|
| French | TEF Canada, TCF Canada |
| English | CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training, PTE Core |
Two things to note immediately. IELTS One Skill Retake results are not accepted for Express Entry — if you resat a single component, that score will not count. And the English test is PTE Core, not PTE Academic; they are different tests and the academic version will not be accepted.
Results expire, and the timing catches people out
Your results must be less than two years old at two separate moments: when you complete your Express Entry profile, and when you submit your application for permanent residence. Passing both checks is not automatic, because the gap between entering the pool and receiving an invitation can be long.
An application submitted with expired results is refused. If your results will expire before you can apply, IRCC's options are to retake the test, apply before they expire, or decline the invitation and rejoin the pool. Plan the expiry date backwards from when you realistically expect to apply, not forwards from when you sit the test.
Reading your TEF Canada score correctly
This is the single most important paragraph in this guide.
A TEF Canada score report shows more than one set of figures. For Express Entry you must use only the "Équivalence ancien score" column, entering the score for each language ability from that column alone. The "Score / 699" results are not what IRCC wants, and entering them will misrepresent your level.
There is also a historical wrinkle: candidates who tested between 11 December 2023 and 6 May 2024 may need to update their profile following a notice from the testing body. If your test falls in that window, check your profile against current guidance rather than assuming it carried over correctly.
TCF Canada is simpler — raw scores for each ability map directly to NCLC levels. As a reference point, a TCF Canada speaking score of 10 to 11 corresponds to NCLC 7.
The minimums you actually need
French ability is measured in NCLC levels, the French counterpart to CLB. The thresholds depend on which program you are applying under.
| Program | Minimum required |
|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class — NOC TEER 0 or 1 | NCLC 7 in all four abilities |
| Canadian Experience Class — NOC TEER 2 or 3 | NCLC 5 in all four abilities |
| Federal Skilled Worker — first official language | NCLC 7 in all four abilities |
| Federal Skilled Worker — second official language | NCLC 5 in all four abilities |
| Federal Skilled Trades | Speaking and listening 5; reading and writing 4 |
Note that these are minimums per ability, not averages. A strong overall performance with one ability below the threshold does not qualify. For most candidates the limiting skill is writing, and it is worth preparing accordingly rather than spreading effort evenly.
Why French is worth the effort
Under the Federal Skilled Worker program, your first official language is worth up to 24 points across the four abilities. Your second official language adds 4 points — but only if you meet the minimum in all four abilities of that language.
That second-language provision is why French matters disproportionately for candidates who already have strong English. Reaching NCLC 5 across four abilities in French is a far smaller undertaking than squeezing another band out of an already-good English score, and Canada has run French-language-proficiency category draws that invite candidates at scores well below the general cut-off. If your English is already strong and your profile is short of points, French is often the cheapest route to more.
TEF or TCF — how to choose
Since IRCC accepts both equally, choose on practical grounds rather than perceived difficulty.
Consider TCF Canada if you want the simpler score report. Raw scores map directly to NCLC levels with no column to misread, which removes an entire category of mistake.
Consider TEF Canada if it is more readily available at a test centre near you, or if you have already prepared with TEF materials. Just be meticulous about the score column when you transcribe results.
In both cases, check current test centre availability and fees directly with the provider, and verify the accepted test list on IRCC's own site before booking. Immigration requirements change, and a guide is not a substitute for the official page on the day you apply.
Frequently asked questions
Is TCF Canada easier than TEF Canada?
Neither is easier. They are different formats assessing the same four abilities, and IRCC treats them as equivalent. Choose on availability and on which score report you are less likely to misread.
Can I use a regular TCF or TEF instead of the Canada version?
No. IRCC names TEF Canada and TCF Canada specifically. Other versions of these tests are not on the accepted list, and booking the wrong variant means paying twice.
Does IELTS One Skill Retake work for Express Entry?
No. IRCC explicitly does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake results. If you need to improve a single component for an Express Entry application, you must retake the full test.
How long are my results valid?
Less than two years old, checked at two points: when you complete your profile and when you submit your permanent residence application. Both must pass, or the application is refused.
Do I need French if my English is already strong?
You do not need it, but it may be the most efficient way to add points. Meeting the minimum in all four French abilities adds points as a second official language, and French-language draws have historically invited candidates at lower overall scores.
What is the difference between CLB and NCLC?
They are the same scale under two names — Canadian Language Benchmarks for English, Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens for French. An NCLC 7 in French is equivalent in level to a CLB 7 in English.
Where to go next
If you are still building toward the level Canada requires, our French proficiency roadmap maps the path from beginner to advanced. If you are weighing French certificates more broadly, DELF B1 and B2 and DALF C1 and C2 cover the academic route, which is a different system from the immigration tests described here.