Get a TEF certificate for immigration. To obtain a TEF certificate for immigration (for example, for immigration to Canada or France), you need to follow specific steps. The Test d'Évaluation de Français (TEF) is recognised by authorities like Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Ministry of the Interior in France for various immigration purposes, including permanent residency, citizenship, and work permits.

Steps to Obtain a TEF Certificate for Immigration

Determine the Type of TEF Exam Required

There are different versions of the TEF, depending on your immigration needs:

• TEF Canada: Specifically for immigration to Canada (Express Entry, permanent residency).
• TEF pour la Nationalité Française: For those applying for French citizenship.
• TEF Québec (TEFAQ): Required by the Quebec government for its immigration programs.
• TEF Carte de Résident: For those seeking a resident card in France.

Find an Authorized TEF Test Center

The TEF exam is administered through accredited centers worldwide. Here’s how you can find one:

• Visit the official TEF website of the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris Île-de-France (CCI Paris IDF).
• Use their search tool to locate the nearest accredited test center based on your country or city.
• Popular countries such as Canada, France, the USA, and others have many test centers available.

Register for the TEF Exam

Once you’ve identified a test center:

• Contact the center to learn about the registration process. Each center may have different procedures for booking.
• Pay the required exam fees. The cost of the TEF exam can vary depending on the location and the version of the test you are taking.
• Choose a date for your exam. Some test centers offer online registration on their websites.

Prepare for the TEF Exam

It’s important to prepare for the exam, especially if it’s required for immigration purposes. You can:

• Take practice tests available online (e.g., on PrepMyFuture, Français Facile, or TV5Monde).
• Enroll in French courses or engage a private tutor to help improve your language skills, especially in areas like reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
• Study immigration-specific vocabulary and formats.

Take the TEF Exam

On the day of the exam, head to the center where you will take the test. The exam usually consists of multiple sections that assess:

• Listening comprehension
• Reading comprehension
• Written expression
• Oral expression
• In some cases, grammar and vocabulary

Each section has different timings and formats.

Receive Your TEF Certificate

After you have taken the TEF exam:

• The results are generally available within a few weeks (usually 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the test center).
• Your TEF certificate will provide scores for each section of the exam, which you will submit with your immigration application.
• Make sure that the certificate meets the specific score requirements for your immigration pathway (e.g., for Canadian immigration, you will need to meet certain CLB/NCLC levels).

Submit the TEF Certificate with Your Immigration Application

Once you receive your official TEF certificate, you can submit it to immigration authorities as part of your application. For example:

• Canada: Submit your TEF results to the IRCC through your Express Entry profile or in your permanent residency application.
• France: Include your TEF results in your application for citizenship or a resident card.

Popular TEF Exams for Immigration

• TEF Canada: Required for Canadian permanent residency and immigration programs under the Express Entry system (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, etc.). You will need to achieve specific CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) scores in listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
• TEFAQ (Test d'Évaluation de Français pour l'accès au Québec): Required for Quebec immigration programs like the Programme de l’Expérience Québécoise (PEQ). This version is accepted by Quebec’s immigration authorities.
• TEF for French Nationality: If you’re applying for French citizenship, this test assesses whether your French proficiency meets the required level (usually B1 or above).

Useful Resources

• TEF official website: https://www.lefrancaisdesaffaires.fr/tef/
• IRCC website for Canadian immigration language requirements: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html

Would you like help finding the nearest TEF test centre? Get a TEF certificate for immigration.