Can I use DELF, DALF or another TCF instead of TCF Canada?
Checked November 1, 2026
Not for Express Entry or a post-graduation work permit. There, IRCC accepts only TCF Canada and TEF Canada for French, so a DELF, a DALF or another TCF version will not do. For Canadian citizenship it is different, IRCC accepts a DELF at B1 or higher, any DALF, and the TCF Québec. Québec’s skilled worker program (PSTQ) also accepts DELF, DALF and the TCF.
Which French result each file accepts
| File | French results accepted |
|---|---|
| Express Entry (IRCC) | TCF Canada, TEF Canada |
| Post-graduation work permit (IRCC) | TCF Canada, TEF Canada |
| Canadian citizenship (IRCC) | TCF Canada, TCF Québec, TEF Canada, TEFAQ, TEF IRN, DELF B1 or higher, any DALF, or other proof such as studies in French |
| PSTQ (Québec) | TCF Canada, TCF Québec, TCF, DELF, DALF, TEF Canada, TEF, TEFAQ |
For citizenship, the test results must show B1 or higher in listening and speaking. For Express Entry, a DELF or DALF has no NCLC conversion and cannot go in a profile, whatever its level.
The TCF versions are not interchangeable
France Éducation international (FEI) runs several versions of the TCF, each for a different body. TCF Canada is the one for IRCC immigration files, the TCF Québec is for Québec’s ministry, and the TCF IRN is for residence and citizenship files in France. A TCF tout public or TCF IRN result does not become a TCF Canada result, even with the same scores.
If you already hold a DELF B2 or C1
It can already cover Canadian citizenship, but you still need TCF Canada or TEF Canada for Express Entry or a PGWP. The format is different. There are 39 listening and 39 reading questions, then 3 writing tasks in 60 minutes with strict word counts. See the exam format and practise the writing tasks under time before you book.