Citizenship8 min read
French Test for Canadian Citizenship: TCF or TEF?
Proving CLB 4 French for citizenship: who must test (18–54), which TCF and TEF versions count, the B1 rule and a checker for your existing result.
Citizenship checklist
Canadian citizenship application checklist: documents for adults
Who can apply, every document IRCC asks adults for, which French and English results count as language proof, the current fees, and what happens after you apply, from the test to the oath.
- Eligibility: 1,095 days, taxes, language, test
- The adult document checklist, item by item
- Language proof: TCF Canada, TEF Canada and more
- Test, interview and ceremony, step by step
Download free PDF
PDF · free · no sign-upChecked October 6, 2026
Quick answer
To apply for Canadian citizenship as an adult you need PR status, 1,095 days in Canada in the last 5 years, tax returns filed for 3 of those years, and, if you are 18 to 54, proof of English or French at CLB/NCLC 4 in listening and speaking. The core documents are your passports and travel documents for the period, two pieces of ID, language proof, your physical presence calculation and the fee receipt.
Who can apply for Canadian citizenship
Check all of these on the day you sign. Your signature date is the date IRCC counts back from.
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Apply online or on paper?
Most adults apply online through IRCC's citizenship application account. IRCC calls it faster, with fewer errors and an instant confirmation. You must fill in, sign and date the application yourself: a representative can advise you but cannot submit it for you online.
You must apply on paper only if your physical presence includes time outside Canada as a Crown servant (or the family member of one), or if you want a representative to fill in and submit the application for you. Online applicants follow the document list in their account; the paper list below is IRCC's reference list and matches it closely.
- Date the form the day you sign it, never a past or future date.
- On paper, IRCC returns the application if it arrives more than 90 days after the signature date.
- Pay only when you are ready to submit.
Documents required for Canadian citizenship (adults)
IRCC's adult list for paper applications, in the order you will gather them.
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Citizenship language requirement proof
If you are 18 to 54, send one of these. For third-party tests, IRCC states the level needed in listening and speaking.
| Proof | What IRCC accepts |
|---|---|
| TCF Canada or TCF Québec | B1 or higher in listening and speaking |
| TEF Canada (from July 2012), TEFAQ, TEF IRN | B1 or higher in listening and speaking |
| DELF | B1 or higher |
| DALF | All results accepted |
| CELPIP-G, IELTS General Training, PTE Core | English tests: the minimum score IRCC lists for each |
| Results you sent IRCC for permanent residence | A copy of those results, even if expired, if they meet the levels above |
| LINC or CLIC training | CLB 4 or higher in speaking and listening |
| Secondary or post-secondary education in English or French | Diploma, transcript or certificate, in Canada or abroad |
| Some provincial language programs | The level IRCC lists for each program |
Convert your TCF or TEF scores with the NCLC score converter and check the B1 level printed on your certificate. Expired results are only accepted if you already sent them for PR.
Check B1, not just NCLC 4
IRCC's general rule is CLB/NCLC 4, but for TCF Canada and TEF Canada it asks for B1 or higher in listening and speaking. A speaking result that is NCLC 4 but only A2 does not meet that wording. Read our French test for Canadian citizenship guide, then practise TCF speaking or TEF speaking.
No French or English proof yet?
Start with the free French level check to see how far you are from NCLC 4, then read French for Canadian citizenship to choose between the TCF Canada and the TEF Canada. Just landed? The PR landing checklist covers your first months, including free LINC/CLIC classes that can also give you language proof.
Citizenship application fees
Read on IRCC's fee list on the date at the bottom of this page.
| Applicant | Fee (CAD) | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (18 and over) | $653 | Processing fee and the $123 right of citizenship fee |
| Minor (under 18) | $100 | Processing fee |
If IRCC has not started processing, you can get a refund. After you receive your acknowledgement of receipt, adults can only get the right of citizenship fee back.
Citizenship for children under 18
A child whose parent is Canadian, or is applying at the same time, can apply as a minor with a parent or legal guardian applying for them. Minors do not need to prove language or take the test, and do not need 1,095 days in this case. Children 14 to 17 take the oath; under 14 they do not.
A child without a Canadian parent (or one applying at the same time) applies under a different section, through someone who has custody or can legally act for them, and must meet the physical presence requirement. The fee for a minor is $100.
After you apply: test, interview, oath
After review
Acknowledgement of receipt (AOR)
Once IRCC finds your application complete, it sends an AOR with your application number and client ID. You can then check your status online.
Ages 18–54
Citizenship test
20 multiple-choice or true-or-false questions in English or French, 45 minutes. You pass with 15 correct, and you get up to 3 chances. Study IRCC's guide Discover Canada. The test does not assess your language.
If needed
Interview or hearing
IRCC may invite you to an interview to check identity, documents and eligibility, or select you at random for quality review. If you fail the test 3 times, you go to a hearing with an official who can also assess your language.
Final step
Citizenship ceremony and oath
Bring your invitation, your PR card (even expired) or COPR, and two pieces of ID, one with photo and signature. You take the oath of citizenship and become a Canadian citizen.
Common citizenship application mistakes
- List every trip abroad and check it against passport stamps.
- Count days with the calculator and keep a margin above 1,095.
- Check the B1 level on your TCF or TEF certificate before you apply.
- Make sure your tax returns are filed for the years you need.
- Sign, date and submit on the same day.
- Don't apply on day 1,095 exactly with no buffer for counting errors.
- Don't send a test result that is NCLC 4 but below B1 in speaking.
- Don't forget police certificates for long stays abroad since age 18.
- Don't leave a missing document unexplained: the file can be returned.
- Don't give a representative your account password.
Keep a copy
Download the PDF to print it or keep it on your phone. Prints cleanly on A4 and Letter.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Sources
Last checked against official sources on Oct 6, 2026. Rules change: always confirm on canada.ca before you submit anything.
- IRCC: Citizenship, who can apply (eligibility) (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: How to apply (online vs paper, signing, refunds) (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: Adult forms and documents (paper) (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: Adults and minors, who can apply (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: Language proof step 2 (results sent for PR) (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: Language proof step 3 (LINC/CLIC) (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: Language proof step 5 (accepted tests) (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: Citizenship test, study (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: Citizenship test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: After you apply for citizenship (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: What to bring to the citizenship ceremony (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: Fee listFees read on 2026-10-06 (page modified 2026-09-21). (opens in a new tab)
Scores & NCLC9 min read
NCLC 5 French: TCF and TEF Scores, B1 Level and What It Unlocks
NCLC 5 is about B1 French: TCF 369 listening, 375 reading, 6/20 writing and speaking. What it unlocks in 2026, and why Express Entry wants NCLC 7.
Get the French proof sorted
Citizenship asks for NCLC 4 in speaking and listening. See what that means and test yourself before you book.
French for citizenship