Sending Your TEF/TCF Canada Results to IRCC: Step-by-Step (2026)

Summary: After completing your TEF Canada or TCF Canada exam, your scores are not automatically available in your Express Entry account — they go through a specific verification and transmission process that takes 15–25 business days and requires coordination between the exam body, IRCC, and your own online account. This guide explains exactly how score delivery works for both the TEF Canada and TCF Canada in 2026, what to do if your scores don't appear in your IRCC account, and the common mistakes that delay or break the process.

---

The Key Principle: You Don't Send Scores — The Exam Body Does

This is the most important thing to understand about TEF Canada and TCF Canada score delivery: IRCC does not accept self-submitted test score documents. You cannot download your scorecard, scan it, and upload it to your Express Entry profile.

Instead:

• The CCI Paris Île-de-France (for TEF Canada) submits scores directly to IRCC's systems
• France Éducation international (for TCF Canada) submits scores directly to IRCC's systems

This is a secure, verified transmission process. IRCC only accepts French-language scores through these official channels to prevent fraud.

Your job is to ensure your IRCC client number is correctly recorded at registration — because that is the identifier that links your test scores to your Express Entry profile.

---

Before the Exam: What You Must Do

Step 1: Create Your IRCC Online Account (If You Haven't Already)

If you are registering for the TEF or TCF Canada specifically for Express Entry, you need to have created an IRCC online account first. Here's why: the exam body needs your IRCC client number (sometimes called IRCC Application number or UCI — Unique Client Identifier) to route scores correctly.

How to get your IRCC client number:

1. Go to canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html
2. Click "Sign in to your account" and use GCKey or Sign-In Partner
3. Your UCI appears on any past IRCC correspondence, or you can find it in your account profile
4. If you have never interacted with IRCC before, create a new account — your UCI will be assigned when you create an Express Entry profile

Important: If you are registering for the exam before creating your IRCC profile, some test centres allow you to add your UCI after registration. Confirm this option with your specific centre before booking.

Step 2: Record Your IRCC Client Number at Exam Registration

When you register for the TEF or TCF Canada, you will be asked to provide personal details for official score reporting. Ensure the following are recorded exactly as they appear in your IRCC documents:

• Full legal name (as in your passport — not a nickname or shortened version)
• Date of birth
• IRCC client number / UCI (if you have one)
• The intended use of scores: "Express Entry / Permanent Residence"

---

After the Exam: The Score Delivery Timeline

TEF Canada Score Delivery

TCF Canada Score Delivery

Planning implication: If an Express Entry draw is approaching that you want to participate in with your French score included, you need to have taken your exam at least 8–12 weeks before the draw. The exact timing of draws cannot be predicted, but plan for at least 2 months of lead time.

---

How to Check if Your Scores Have Been Received by IRCC

Step 1: Log In to Your IRCC Online Account

Go to canada.ca and sign in with GCKey or Sign-In Partner.

Step 2: Navigate to Your Express Entry Profile

Click "Express Entry" in your dashboard. If you have an active profile, it will be listed.

Step 3: Check the Language Section

In your profile, scroll to "Language test results." You should see your TEF Canada or TCF Canada scores listed with:

• Test name
• Test date
• Scores for each skill (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking)
• NCLC level for each skill
• Expiry date of the scores

If these appear correctly and your NCLC levels have been calculated, your scores are in the system.

Step 4: Verify Your CRS Score Reflects the Update

After your language scores are confirmed in the profile, your CRS score should update automatically. If you were previously scored with no French, you should see your CRS increase by the appropriate amount (up to 50 points for second official language at NCLC 7+).

---

What to Do If Your Scores Don't Appear (Troubleshooting)

Problem 1: Scores Not in IRCC System After 10 Weeks

Most likely cause: The IRCC client number recorded at exam registration was incorrect or missing.

What to do:

1. Contact the exam centre where you wrote the exam
2. Ask them to verify the UCI they submitted to the exam body (CCI or FEI)
3. If incorrect, the exam body can resubmit — this typically takes an additional 2–4 weeks
4. Request written confirmation from the exam centre of the correct UCI submitted

Problem 2: Scores Appear but NCLC Level Is Wrong

Most likely cause: Data entry error between the raw score and the NCLC conversion.

What to do:

1. Obtain your official scorecard from the exam body (this is separate from your IRCC record)
2. Verify the raw scores on your scorecard
3. Cross-reference with the official TEF→NCLC or TCF→NCLC conversion tables on the IRCC website
4. If there's a discrepancy, contact IRCC's call centre at 1-888-242-2100 with your UCI and test date

Problem 3: IRCC Account Shows Scores But Profile CRS Didn't Change

Most likely cause: Your profile was already using a language score that was higher than your new French result. The system uses the most recent valid score.

What to do: Review your profile manually to ensure both English and French scores are being captured correctly. Sometimes re-submitting or refreshing your profile after the language update triggers recalculation.

---

Can You Add TEF/TCF Scores to an Already-Submitted Express Entry Profile?

Yes. If you take the TEF or TCF Canada after creating your Express Entry profile, you can update your profile with the new language scores once they appear in your IRCC account. Updated profiles are re-ranked in the Express Entry pool with your new CRS score.

Important: You must update your profile before an ITA is issued. If you receive an ITA and then want to add a French score, it is too late — scores must be part of the profile at the time of selection.

---

Score Validity: Don't Let Your Results Expire

Both the TEF Canada and TCF Canada scores are valid for exactly 2 years from the exam date. IRCC's system will automatically flag expired scores as invalid.

If you complete your exam but don't submit your Express Entry application before your scores expire:

1. Your profile will be updated to show expired scores
2. Your CRS will drop (the language bonus is removed)
3. You may fall out of consideration for category-based draws

Strategic tip: If your scores are approaching expiry, book a retake before expiry and aim to exceed your previous score. This resets the 2-year clock and potentially improves your CRS simultaneously.

---

Preparing Your Timeline: Putting It All Together

For US-based applicants planning their Express Entry strategy around a French score, here is the recommended sequence:

1. Start French study (15–18 months before target application, or 5–8 months if already B1)
2. Create IRCC online account and note your UCI number
3. Book TEF or TCF Canada exam at a US test centre (book 6–8 weeks before target date)
4. Write the exam (full four-skill exam required for Express Entry)
5. Wait 6–10 weeks for scores to appear in your IRCC profile
6. Verify your CRS update in your Express Entry profile
7. Maintain an active Express Entry profile and monitor category-based francophone draws

At PrepMyFrench, we help candidates prepare efficiently for TEF and TCF Canada exams — with AI speaking simulations, writing evaluations, and live Zoom classes. Our tools are designed for US-based candidates who need remote, flexible preparation.

Start preparing with PrepMyFrench — free trial available →

---

Quick Reference: Score Delivery Checklist

• ✅ Get IRCC client number (UCI) before registering for the exam
• ✅ Confirm your full legal name matches IRCC records exactly at registration
• ✅ Specify "Express Entry / Permanent Residence" as the use at registration
• ✅ Wait 6–10 weeks (TEF) or 5–8 weeks (TCF) after exam date for profile update
• ✅ Log into IRCC account and verify scores in "Language test results" section
• ✅ Confirm CRS score has updated to reflect the new French language bonus
• ✅ Note the 2-year expiry date — plan your application submission accordingly