DELF vs TEF: Which French Exam for Canada?
Many aspirants book the wrong French exam because DELF and TEF sound alike. They are built for different jobs. If your goal is French for Canada PR, choosing the wrong one can cost you months and several thousand rupees.
This guide explains the difference, how scores map to the Canadian scale, and what you can expect to pay.
DELF vs TEF: The Core Difference
DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française) is a French diploma awarded by the French Ministry of Education. It covers levels A1 to B2, and its higher sibling, DALF, covers C1 and C2. A DELF diploma never expires, and it suits university admissions in France and general proof of ability.
TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français) is a test score, not a diploma. It is run by CCI Paris Île-de-France and designed for Canadian immigration. It tests four skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking), and results stay valid for two years.
The key point is that IRCC lists TEF Canada and TCF Canada as its accepted French tests for Express Entry. DELF and DALF are not on that list. A DELF B2 diploma is a good sign of your level, but it will not earn you Express Entry points. canada
Which Exam Counts for French for Canada PR?
For Express Entry, your realistic choice is TEF Canada vs TCF Canada, not DELF vs TEF. Only the Canada version of the TCF is accepted, not the general TCF. The same caution applies to TEF. Register for “TEF Canada” and not a general or France-focused version. gofarglobal
Use DELF only if you need a diploma for study, a job, or a citizenship application. Always check the current IRCC citizenship page for the exact accepted tests, because lists differ by application type.
CLB Score and NCLC: Don’t Mix the Scales
This is where many candidates get confused.
CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks) measures English.
NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) measures French.
Your French result is an NCLC level, not a CLB score, although the two scales run in parallel and are treated similarly in the points system. IRCC publishes equivalency charts that convert your test results into CLB or NCLC levels. canada
One detail catches people out. For TEF Canada, your level is based on the “Équivalence ancien score” column, and you should not enter the “Score / 699” figures in your Express Entry profile. Entering the wrong column can produce an incorrect NCLC level and hurt your profile. canada
Why NCLC 7 Is the Magic Number
To unlock the bilingual bonus, IRCC requires a minimum of NCLC 7 in all four French abilities: reading, writing, listening and speaking. The extra points are significant. French can add up to 50 points: 25 if you have NCLC 7+ in French with weak or no English, or 50 if you also have CLB 5+ in English. berlitzgofarglobal
NCLC 7 also matters beyond points. Express Entry profiles with a minimum of NCLC 7 in all four abilities can be considered for French-language category-based draws. These draws often invite candidates at lower CRS scores than general rounds. immigrationnewscanada
As a rough guide, NCLC 7 is comparable to a solid B2 in French. Many candidates with a DELF B2 diploma still need focused exam preparation to hit NCLC 7 in all four skills, because TEF Canada rewards test strategy and timing as much as language knowledge.
TEF Canada vs TCF Canada: Quick Comparison
Feature
TEF Canada
TCF Canada
Run by
CCI Paris Île-de-France
France Éducation international
Accepted for Express Entry
Yes
Yes
Skills tested
Listening, reading, writing, speaking
Listening, reading, writing, speaking
Result validity
2 years
2 years
Both convert to the same NCLC scale, so neither is “better” for PR. Pick the one whose format suits you and whose seats are available near you.
Exam Fees in India
Exam fees vary by centre, city and exam version, so always confirm with your centre before paying.
Delhi: Alliance Française de Delhi listed TCF Canada at Rs. 26,000 including GST for its January 2026 sessions. afdelhi
Hyderabad: Alliance Française of Hyderabad listed e-TEF Canada, with all four sections compulsory, at INR 26,000. afindia
In Canada: TEF Canada has been listed at CAD 390 per candidate. learnfrenchwithalexa
DELF fees are set separately by each centre and are usually lower than the immigration exams, but they do not help your Express Entry profile. Paying less for the wrong test is not a saving.
Also budget for preparation. For example, Alliance Française Chandigarh has listed a TEF Canada preparation course at Rs 15,670 including GST, and it requires B2 as a starting level. afindia
How to Choose: A Simple Decision Path
Write down your purpose. Express Entry points means TEF Canada or TCF Canada. Study or a general credential means DELF or DALF. Citizenship means checking IRCC’s current list.
Check your current level. If you are below B2, build your French first. A rushed attempt wastes the fee and triggers waiting periods before you can retake.
Compare centres. Ask two centres which accepted test they run, the next available date, and the exact fee.
Practise the exam format. Do timed mock tests for all four skills, especially writing and speaking.
Read your result correctly. Enter the “Équivalence ancien score” for TEF, convert using the live IRCC chart, and aim for NCLC 7 in every skill.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Booking DELF because a friend used it for citizenship, when your goal is Express Entry points.
Registering for general TEF or TCF instead of the Canada versions.
Entering the “Score / 699” figure into your profile.
Assuming a good DELF B2 result guarantees NCLC 7. It does not.
Using old conversion tables. IRCC can update them, so check the current chart on your test date.
Final Verdict
If you want French for Canada PR, DELF is not the exam to book. TEF Canada or TCF Canada is. Treat DELF as a helpful stepping stone toward B2, then sit an accepted test and aim for NCLC 7 in all four skills.
Ready to build the French you need? The Professional English offers a structured French Language Course in Delhi to take you from beginner to exam-ready, with a focus on the skills these tests reward.