Which French tests does IRCC accept for citizenship?

FrenchExaminer · Published 2026-11-05 · 4 min read · AI-drafted, reviewed by a second AI pass, not yet reviewed by a human

For citizenship, IRCC asks applicants aged 18 to 54 to prove they can speak and listen at CLB level 4 or higher in English or French; in French the benchmark is called NCLC. TCF Canada and TEF Canada are both recognised by IRCC, and each has a published score range for NCLC 4.

What level of French does Canadian citizenship require?

According to the IRCC page on language proof for citizenship (read on 2026-10-18), applicants aged 18 to 54 must submit proof that they can speak and listen at Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) level 4 or higher in English or French. NCLC is the French name of the same benchmark, so "CLB 4" and "NCLC 4" mean the same level.

At least one accepted document must be sent with the application. IRCC states that an application without one is returned, so the proof is not something to settle after you apply.

The requirement named by IRCC concerns speaking and listening. Reading and writing are not mentioned in that requirement, although the French tests you can use to prove it also score those abilities. In practice, this means your preparation should focus first on understanding spoken French and expressing yourself aloud.

Which French tests does IRCC accept as proof?

Two Canada-specific French tests appear in the sources you can rely on here. The table shows what each says about IRCC recognition and how long results last.

Test	Recognised by IRCC	Results valid
TCF Canada	Yes, for economic immigration and citizenship (France Éducation international)	Two years
TEF Canada	Yes (test provider)	Two years

IRCC publishes an NCLC equivalence table for each of these two tests, which is how a score becomes a benchmark level. Before booking, check the current list of accepted documents and evidence on the IRCC citizenship pages, since the list of accepted proof can change and this article does not replace it.

For a detailed look at each exam, see the TCF Canada guide and the TEF Canada guide.

What TCF Canada score equals NCLC 4?

IRCC publishes an equivalence between TCF Canada scores and NCLC levels. Speaking and writing are scored 0 to 20, while listening and reading are scored 100 to 699. For citizenship, the speaking and listening rows are the ones the requirement targets.

Ability	NCLC 4	NCLC 5	NCLC 6
Speaking (0-20)	4-5	6	7-9
Listening (100-699)	331-368	369-397	398-457

Per IRCC's equivalence table, a TCF Canada speaking score of 4 to 5 corresponds to NCLC 4, and a listening score of 331 to 368 corresponds to NCLC 4. A score at or above those ranges reaches NCLC 4 or higher.

What TEF Canada score equals NCLC 4?

The TEF Canada uses different scales: speaking and writing are scored 0 to 450, listening 0 to 360 and reading 0 to 300. The IRCC equivalence table gives the NCLC 4 band for each ability.

Ability	Scale	NCLC 4	NCLC 5
Speaking	0-450	181-225	226-270
Listening	0-360	145-180	181-216

According to IRCC, a TEF Canada speaking score of 181 to 225 equals NCLC 4, and a listening score of 145 to 180 equals NCLC 4. To convert a full result sheet across all four abilities, use the NCLC calculator.

What does each test ask you to do in speaking and listening?

Knowing the format helps you practise the right skills. TCF Canada has four compulsory tests: listening comprehension (39 questions, 35 minutes), reading comprehension (39 questions, 60 minutes), written expression (3 tasks, 60 minutes) and oral expression (3 tasks, 12 minutes), according to France Éducation international.

The three oral tasks are listed below.

Task 1: a guided interview without preparation (2 minutes).
Task 2: an interaction where you ask questions, with preparation (5 minutes 30 including 2 minutes of preparation).
Task 3: a point of view without preparation (4 minutes 30).

TEF Canada has listening (40 questions, 40 minutes), reading (40 questions, 60 minutes), written expression (2 tasks, 60 minutes) and oral expression (2 tasks, 15 minutes). Since the oral and listening tests are the two the citizenship requirement targets, spend most of your practice time on them.

You can rehearse the full oral format with the speaking test, which uses an AI examiner for the TCF Canada speaking tasks.

How do you check your level before paying for an official test?

An official sitting costs time and money, and results are valid for two years, so it helps to know roughly where you stand first. Start with a quick, unofficial reading of your level, then practise the weakest ability. The steps below show one way to do it.

Take the free instant level test, which needs 30 seconds of speech or a short text.
Compare the estimate with the NCLC 4 bands in the tables above.
Practise speaking and listening under timed conditions with a free TCF Canada practice test.

Remember that an estimate is not an official result. Only the score on your official test report counts as proof for IRCC.

Questions candidates ask

Is NCLC the same as CLB for citizenship?

Yes. NCLC is the French name of the Canadian Language Benchmarks, so NCLC 4 and CLB 4 describe the same level. IRCC's citizenship page asks for CLB level 4 or higher in English or French, which you prove in French with an NCLC-convertible test score.

Do I need to pass reading and writing for citizenship?

The IRCC citizenship requirement described here concerns speaking and listening at CLB level 4 or higher. Reading and writing are not named in that requirement. Your French test still reports all four abilities, so check the IRCC page for your own situation.

How long is a TCF Canada result valid for?

According to France Éducation international, TCF Canada results are valid for two years. The TEF Canada provider also states a two-year validity. Check the IRCC citizenship page for the current rules on accepted documents before you rely on an older result.

What happens if I send no language proof with my application?

IRCC states that at least one accepted document must be sent with the citizenship application, otherwise the application is returned. Applicants aged 18 to 54 must show CLB or NCLC level 4 or higher in speaking and listening, so gather proof before applying.

Is TEF Canada accepted the same way as TCF Canada?

Both TCF Canada and TEF Canada are recognised by IRCC, and each has an official NCLC equivalence table. They use different score scales, so compare your result only with the table for the test you actually took, never with the other test's bands.

Can I use an English test instead of a French one?

Yes, for this requirement. IRCC's citizenship page accepts proof of CLB level 4 or higher in English or French. This article covers the French route, so check IRCC's list of accepted documents if you are considering an English test.

Does a free practice test count as official proof?

No. A practice test or an AI estimate is not an official result and cannot be sent to IRCC as proof. It only helps you gauge your level and prepare. Only the report from a recognised test counts toward your application.