TEF Canada vs TEF IRN vs TEFAQ: which TEF is which

TEF Canada vs TEF IRN vs TEFAQ is an easy mix-up, because all three are versions of one exam family, the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF), issued by CCI Paris Ile-de-France [1]. This page sets out what each version is for, what you sit, and who accepts it, from the exam body’s pages, IRCC and Québec. For the federal exam in full, read the TEF Canada guide. For the Québec version on its own, see TEFAQ. For the level each permanent residence program asks for, see French test for Canada PR. For the whole TEF family, including TEF Études, see the other TEF versions.

What is the difference between TEF Canada, TEF IRN and TEFAQ?

The difference is the government each one serves. The exam body’s overview says the version you take depends on your goal [1]. It lists TEF Canada for immigration or citizenship in Canada, TEF Québec (TEFAQ) for immigration to Québec or Canadian citizenship, and TEF IRN for a 10-year resident card or naturalisation in France [1]. A fourth version, TEF Études, is for entering a school or university in France or a French-speaking country [1].

One wording differs between the exam body’s own pages. Each version’s page says the certificate is valid 2 years from its date of issue [2][3][4]. The TEF overview says 2 years “from the date of the test” [1]. IRCC and Québec state their own rules on how old results may be [6][7][8].

How do the sections compare?

TEF Canada and TEFAQ share the same 4 sections, with the same lengths [2][3]. TEF IRN is shorter in every section [4].

The figures come from each version’s page [2][3][4]. For TEF Canada, all sections must be taken on the same day for the certificate to be recognised by the Canadian authorities [2]. For TEFAQ, each section can be taken on its own, and Québec’s program sets which ones you need [3].

What is TEF Canada for?

TEF Canada is the version for people who plan to immigrate to Canada or become Canadian citizens [2]. For immigration you sit all 4 sections; for citizenship, listening and speaking only [2]. The exam body gives CLB 7 in every section as the level for Express Entry and CLB 4 in speaking and listening for citizenship, and sends you to IRCC for each program’s rule [2].

What is the TEFAQ for?

TEFAQ, or TEF Québec, is the version for immigration to Québec [3]. You sit 1, 2, 3 or 4 sections, depending on the Québec program, and “each test can be taken independently of the others” [3]. The exam body sends you to Québec’s immigration ministry (MIFI) for the compulsory sections and the level [3].

The exam body also says TEFAQ can serve a Canadian citizenship application, with 2 compulsory sections, listening and speaking, and a minimum of “EQNCF 4” in each [3]. IRCC’s Help Centre answer and step 5 list TEFAQ for citizenship, and step 2 does not; see below [7][9][10].

What is the TEF IRN?

TEF IRN is the version for living in France, not Canada. Its full name is the TEF Intégration, Résidence et Nationalité (IRN), and the exam body says it is recognised by France’s Ministry of the Interior [4]. It is for foreign nationals over 16 [4].

The TEF IRN page lists 4 uses and the level for each [4]:

• a multi-year residence card (“carte de séjour pluriannuelle”): A2;
• a long-term resident card (“carte de résident”): B1;
• French nationality: B2;
• work in private security in France: B1.

The page says TEF IRN certifies levels A1 to B2 and is not suitable for showing language skills for higher studies [4].

Which TEF does IRCC accept?

For Express Entry, IRCC lists 2 French tests: TEF Canada and TCF Canada [6]. It names CCI Paris Ile-de-France as the body that administers TEF Canada for immigration to Canada [6]. TEFAQ and TEF IRN are not on the list [6]. The exam body agrees on TEFAQ: “The TEF Québec (TEFAQ) is not recognized by the IRCC for your application to immigrate to Canada” [3].

For Express Entry, results must be less than 2 years old, and IRCC says it will refuse an application made with expired results [6].

For citizenship, IRCC’s pages differ. Step 2 of the language proof pages names TEF Canada and TCF Canada as the French options [7]. For a TEF Canada taken on or after 1 July 2012, it asks for B1 or higher in listening and speaking, and it accepts the results “even if they’re expired” [7]. Step 2 does not mention TEFAQ or TEF IRN [7].

IRCC’s Help Centre answer on third-party tests lists a wider set for citizenship: TEF Canada, TEFAQ, and the TEF Intégration, Résidence et Nationalité as a 2-skills version (listening and speaking), plus TCF, TCFQ, DELF and DALF [9]. It says IRCC does not accept any other third-party test results [9]. Step 5 lists TEF Canada, TEFAQ and TEF IRN at B1 or higher in listening and speaking [10].

Which TEF does Québec accept?

Québec’s page for the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) lists 8 accepted tests and diplomas [8]. Three come from CCIP-IDF: TEFAQ, TEF Canada and the “Test d’évaluation du français (TEF)” [8]. The page does not say which TEF versions that last entry covers, and it does not name TEF IRN [8].

Québec’s rules for any of them: results must be two years or less from the date you apply, the test must be taken at a centre approved by its provider, and only results issued by the provider count [8]. Québec reads results on its own scale, the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français [8]. The TEFAQ guide has the levels each Québec program asks for.

Can one TEF serve two purposes?

Yes, TEF Canada can. It is on IRCC’s Express Entry list [6], on IRCC’s citizenship pages [7][9][10] and on Québec’s PSTQ list [8]. The exam body also says a TEF Canada certificate under 2 years old is recognised by MIFI for a Québec application [3].

TEFAQ counts for Québec [8], but not for Express Entry [3][6]. IRCC’s Help Centre answer and step 5 list it for citizenship [9][10]. TEF IRN serves France, and neither IRCC’s Express Entry list nor Québec’s names it [4][6][8]. For citizenship, IRCC’s Help Centre answer lists a 2-skills TEF IRN and step 5 lists TEF IRN [9][10].

Common mistakes

• Booking TEFAQ for Express Entry. IRCC does not accept it for an application to immigrate to Canada [3][6].
• Booking TEF IRN for a Canadian file. It is built for France, and IRCC’s Express Entry list does not name it [4][6]. For citizenship, check IRCC’s Help Centre answer, which lists a 2-skills version [9].
• Reading TEF IRN news as TEF Canada news. The 2025 change the exam body announced concerns TEF IRN [5].
• Reading one IRCC page as the whole citizenship list. Step 2 lists only TEF Canada and TCF Canada [7], but the Help Centre answer and step 5 also list TEFAQ and TEF IRN [9][10].
• Sitting TEF Canada sections on different days. The exam body says they must be taken on the same day to be recognised by the Canadian authorities [2].
• Relying on a guide for exam rules, including this one. The exam body, IRCC and Québec update their pages. Compare each official page’s date with the date at the top of this one.

Sources