Which French level do I need?

French citizenship by naturalisation

Level B2 required for French citizenship.

On the TCF IRN, an overall level is reached when 3 skills are at that level and the fourth is in the top part of the level below. France Éducation international does not publish a score for that top part.

Some French diplomas replace the test, and there are exemptions, for example over 65 for residence permits. The civic exam is a separate condition.

First resident card in France

Level B1 required for a first resident card.

On the TCF IRN, an overall level is reached when 3 skills are at that level and the fourth is in the top part of the level below. France Éducation international does not publish a score for that top part.

Some French diplomas replace the test, and there are exemptions, for example over 65 for residence permits. The civic exam is a separate condition.

First multi-year residence permit in France

Level A2 required for a first multi-year residence permit.

On the TCF IRN, an overall level is reached when 3 skills are at that level and the fourth is in the top part of the level below. France Éducation international does not publish a score for that top part.

Some French diplomas replace the test, and there are exemptions, for example over 65 for residence permits. The civic exam is a separate condition.

Canadian citizenship

NCLC 4 required in listening and speaking if you are 18 to 54.

IRCC accepts the TCF Canada and the TEF Canada. The scores come from IRCC’s equivalency chart.

IRCC publishes no link to the CEFR. The CEFR column places the minimum score on the TCF scale.

Express Entry, French-language draws

NCLC 7 required in all 4 skills to be invited in a French-language draw.

IRCC accepts the TCF Canada and the TEF Canada. The scores come from IRCC’s equivalency chart.

IRCC publishes no link to the CEFR. The CEFR column places the minimum score on the TCF scale.

Express Entry, Federal Skilled Worker

NCLC 7 required in all 4 skills.

IRCC accepts the TCF Canada and the TEF Canada. The scores come from IRCC’s equivalency chart.

IRCC publishes no link to the CEFR. The CEFR column places the minimum score on the TCF scale.

Express Entry, Canadian Experience Class, TEER 0 or 1 job

NCLC 7 required in all 4 skills.

IRCC accepts the TCF Canada and the TEF Canada. The scores come from IRCC’s equivalency chart.

IRCC publishes no link to the CEFR. The CEFR column places the minimum score on the TCF scale.

Express Entry, Canadian Experience Class, TEER 2 or 3 job

NCLC 5 required in all 4 skills.

IRCC accepts the TCF Canada and the TEF Canada. The scores come from IRCC’s equivalency chart.

IRCC publishes no link to the CEFR. The CEFR column places the minimum score on the TCF scale.

Express Entry, Federal Skilled Trades

NCLC 5 required in listening and speaking, NCLC 4 in reading and writing.

IRCC accepts the TCF Canada and the TEF Canada. The scores come from IRCC’s equivalency chart.

IRCC publishes no link to the CEFR. The CEFR column places the minimum score on the TCF scale.

PSTQ stream 1, highly qualified

Level 7 required in oral French and level 5 in written French, on the Québec scale.

Québec accepts the TCF Canada and the TCF Québec among other tests, with results 2 years old or less. The scores come from the correspondence table of Québec’s immigration ministry.

PSTQ stream 2, intermediate and manual skills

Level 5 required in oral French, on the Québec scale. Written French is not required.

Québec accepts the TCF Canada and the TCF Québec among other tests, with results 2 years old or less. The scores come from the correspondence table of Québec’s immigration ministry.