Is TCF Canada mandatory to immigrate to Canada?
Checked November 1, 2026
No. Express Entry asks for an approved test in your first official language, and that can be English (CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training, PTE Core) or French (TCF Canada or TEF Canada). French is optional, but NCLC 7 in all four French skills adds 25 or 50 CRS points and opens the French-language rounds.
When you need TCF Canada and when you don’t
| Your plan | Is a French test required? |
|---|---|
| Express Entry, English as first official language | No. One English test is enough |
| Express Entry, French as first official language | Yes, TCF Canada or TEF Canada |
| Express Entry French-language rounds | Yes, NCLC 7 in all four French skills |
| Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) | One approved test, English or French |
| Canadian citizenship, ages 18 to 54 | Proof of speaking and listening, a test is one option |
| Québec’s skilled worker program (PSTQ) | Québec’s own French rules, TCF Canada is one accepted test among several |
Why candidates add French anyway
- Bonus points. NCLC 7 or more in all four French skills gives 25 extra points, or 50 if you also have CLB 5 or more in all four English skills.
- Second-language points. With English as your first language, French at CLB 5 or more earns up to 24 more points (22 with a spouse).
- French-language rounds. These rounds invite candidates with NCLC 7 in all four skills, and their cut-offs have often been far lower than general rounds. See the CRS scores of French-language rounds.
This table covers the federal economic route, the PGWP, citizenship and the PSTQ. Other routes, such as family sponsorship, have their own rules on IRCC’s site.
For citizenship, IRCC also accepts a DELF at B1 or higher, a DALF, or proof that you studied in a secondary or post-secondary program in English or French, in Canada or abroad, or a LINC or CLIC certificate at CLB 4 or more.
If you do take TCF Canada, writing is the hardest skill to judge alone, since FEI returns a mark without an annotated copy. Check where your writing stands before you book. For the points in detail, see how many CRS points French gives.