The short answer.
If you want Canada PR or citizenship, take TEF Canada. If you want a permanent French diploma for university or career credentials, take DELF. If you want both, take both. They test different things in different formats, and many students end up doing one of each at different points in their journey.
What makes them different.
The format difference.
DELF is level-specific. You register for DELF B2, for example, and the entire exam is pitched at B2 difficulty. You need 50/100 overall (with no module below 5/25) to pass. If you pass, you have a B2 diploma for life. If you fail, you get nothing.
TEF Canada is a single exam that covers the full difficulty range. Questions start easy and get progressively harder. Your score determines your level. There is no pass/fail, just a score that maps to a CLB level. This means even if you do not hit CLB 7, you still get a valid result and some CRS points.
The practical implication: TEF Canada is lower risk. Even a below-target score has value for immigration. DELF is higher stakes (pass or fail) but the reward is a permanent credential that never needs renewing.
Which one for Canada?
TEF Canada. Without question. It is specifically designed for Canadian immigration and is accepted by both IRCC (federal) and MIFI (Quebec). DELF is not directly accepted for Canadian immigration scoring. You cannot submit a DELF certificate for CRS points.
That said, preparing for DELF B2 is excellent preparation for TEF Canada at CLB 7. The language skills are the same; only the exam format differs. Some students take DELF B2 first for the confidence and permanent credential, then take TEF Canada for immigration. This is a smart approach if your immigration timeline allows it.
Which one for university?
DELF B2 for most French universities. The DELF B2 diploma is the standard admissions requirement for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in France. Some universities also accept TCF DAP (a special version of TCF for university admissions), but DELF B2 is preferred because it never expires.
For Canadian universities, language requirements vary. Some Francophone universities in Quebec accept TEF scores, while others want DELF. Check your specific university's requirements before deciding.
What about TCF?
TCF Canada is the third option for Canadian immigration. Like TEF, it is score-based and valid for 2 years. It is accepted by IRCC but not accepted for Quebec immigration. The format is more computer-based with more multiple-choice questions. Some students prefer TCF if they are uncomfortable with face-to-face speaking tests, since TCF records responses rather than having a live examiner.
For a complete comparison of all certifications, including TCF and DALF, see our Certifications Guide.
My recommendation.
For most of my students, the path is clear: learn French systematically from A1 to B2, then take TEF Canada when your practice scores consistently hit CLB 7+. If you have time and want the permanent credential, take DELF B2 first. If your immigration timeline is tight, go straight to TEF Canada.
The preparation is largely the same regardless of which exam you take. At The French Skool, we build CEFR-aligned proficiency first and add exam-specific preparation in the final weeks before test day. That way you are prepared for the language, not just the test.
Not sure which exam fits?
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