How TEF is delivered in India
TEF (Test d’Évaluation de Français) is administered by the CCI Paris Ile-de-France (CCIP), not France Éducation international. Delivery in India is through partner Alliance Française centres, who host CCIP-owned sessions.
Frequency is roughly monthly — most metro centres host 2–3 TEF sessions per month. Registration is direct with CCIP or through the local Alliance Française; slots are booked in real time on the CCIP portal.
TEF variants — each has its own calendar
| Variant | Purpose | Sessions per month |
|---|---|---|
| TEF (general) | General proficiency certificate | 2–3 at each metro |
| TEF Canada | IRCC immigration (Express Entry, provincial nominee) | 3–4 at each metro |
| TEF Quebec | Quebec Immigration (Arrima) | 2–3 at each metro |
| TEF Naturalisation | French citizenship application | 1–2 per month |
| TEF pour la Carte de Résident | 10-year French residency card | On request |
| TEF DAP (Diplôme d’Accès aux Études) | First-year French university admission | 1–2 per year in specific windows |
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Centres that host TEF
- TEF + TEF Canada + TEF Quebec — every metro Alliance Française: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune.
- TEF Naturalisation, TEF pour la Carte de Résident — same metro centres but less frequent slots.
- TEF DAP — Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, in specific windows only.
- Tier-2 centres — refer candidates to nearest metro; plan travel accordingly.
TEF vs TCF — the scheduling question
For Express Entry candidates, both TEF Canada and TCF Canada are accepted by IRCC and both produce a CLB-mapped result. TEF Canada is slightly more expensive per test but has similar monthly session availability. The right choice depends on which centre in your city has slots open in your target week.
For French naturalisation, TEF Naturalisation is specifically designed for this use case — it certifies B1 competence and is issued in a format prefectures readily accept. General TEF is also accepted but often requires an additional interpretation of the CEFR level.
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Common scheduling mistakes
- Registering for general TEF when IRCC requires TEF Canada. The variants are not interchangeable.
- Assuming TEF DAP runs monthly. Like TCF DAP, it has specific windows only (typically January–March); miss it and you wait a year.
- Not checking centre-variant availability. Not every metro hosts every TEF variant every month.
- Booking TEF Naturalisation when a general TEF at B1 would also work. Sometimes general TEF sessions are more frequent and equally acceptable — check with the prefecture.
- Confusing TEF and TCF result validity — both are 2 years for immigration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is TEF held in India?
2–3 sessions per month at each metro Alliance Française. TEF Canada specifically has 3–4 sessions per month at the busiest centres due to immigration-driven demand.
What are all the TEF variants?
General TEF, TEF Canada (Express Entry), TEF Quebec (Arrima), TEF Naturalisation (French citizenship), TEF pour la Carte de Résident (10-year residency), and TEF DAP (first-year French university admission). Each has its own calendar and fee.
Where can I take TEF in India?
At metro Alliance Française centres — Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune — for the common variants. Less frequent variants (Résident, DAP) may run at fewer centres.
How long are TEF results valid?
2 years for immigration purposes (IRCC, Quebec MIFI). Result validity is the same across TEF variants. For French naturalisation, TEF Naturalisation validity depends on the prefecture — most accept results up to 2 years old.
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