Is the DELF accepted for Express Entry?

No. For Express Entry, IRCC accepts TCF Canada and TEF Canada as French tests. A DELF, even at B2, does not replace them.

Can I use the DELF for Canadian citizenship?

Yes. A DELF at B1 or above, and any DALF, is accepted as language proof for Canadian citizenship.

What level do I need for French nationality?

B2 in speaking and writing. A diploma proving B2, such as the DELF B2, or a TCF or TEF certificate less than 2 years old is accepted.

Can you fail the TCF?

No. The TCF gives you a level, it has no pass or fail. The DELF is an exam: you need at least 50 out of 100, with at least 5 out of 25 in each part.

Which one lasts longer?

The DELF is valid for life. A TCF Canada certificate is valid for 2 years from the issue of results.

DELF vs TCF: Which French Exam Do You Need?

The right exam depends on what you want to do with it. Pick your goal below: each answer comes straight from the official pages.

What do you need the test for?

TCF Canada or TEF Canada. Those are the two French tests IRCC accepts for Express Entry. A DELF does not count here, even at B2. Official source

The difference in one sentence

The DELF is a diploma you keep for life. The TCF is a snapshot of your level, useful for 2 years for a specific application.

	DELF	TCF Canada
What it is	A diploma from the French Ministry of Education	A level test
Valid for	Life	2 years
Result	Pass or fail: 50/100 minimum, and 5/25 minimum per part	A score per skill, converted to an NCLC level for Canada
Level	One exam per level: you choose A1, A2, B1 or B2	One test: questions go from easiest to hardest
Retaking	Depends on your centre's sessions	As often as you like, with a 20-day wait for TCF Canada

The mistake to avoid

Taking a DELF B2 for an Express Entry plan. The diploma is valuable, but it does not replace TCF Canada or TEF Canada for that program. The opposite mistake also happens: if you want French for a job or studies with no deadline, a test that lasts 2 years means starting again later.

France raised its levels in 2026

Since 1 January 2026, France requires A2 for a first multi-year residence card and B1 for a first resident card. For naturalisation, the required level is B2. Many guides online still give the old levels.

Practise for free

One pass unlocks both platforms, and the first two exercises of every list are free. Start with the TCF Canada guide or the DELF guide. Weighing TCF against TEF instead? Read TCF Canada vs TEF Canada.

Checked on 31 October 2026 against the official pages: IRCC language tests · IRCC citizenship · France Éducation international, DELF · France Éducation international, TCF Canada · Service-public, nationality · Service-public, residence cards. These rules change, so confirm them on those pages before you register. Kru Rémi Academy is independent of IRCC, France Éducation international and CCI Paris Île-de-France.