If you need an official TCF or TEF test centre in Vancouver, Alliance Française runs both exams at 6161 Cambie Street and at their second site in New Westminster. In 2026 the TCF Canada costs $390 there. Seats usually go 8 to 12 weeks before exam day, so book first, then plan your study.
Where is the TCF test centre in Vancouver?
Alliance Française Vancouver runs its TEF and TCF exams in person at two sites: 6161 Cambie Street in Vancouver and #101-320 Columbia St in New Westminster. You sit the whole exam there, never online.
| Site | Address | Registration window |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | 6161 Cambie Street, Vancouver | Opens first, about one week long |
| New Westminster | #101-320 Columbia St, New Westminster | Can open after Vancouver's window closes |
Registration doesn't always open on the same day for both locations. In 2026, New Westminster's window for one TCF session opened a week after Vancouver's closed. That's a second chance if you miss the first window, so keep both addresses in your plan, even if Cambie Street is closer to home.
IRCC accepts both the TEF Canada and the TCF Canada for Express Entry. You book with an approved test centre and pay the fee yourself.
How much does the TCF Canada cost in Vancouver?
The TCF Canada costs $390 at Alliance Française Vancouver in 2026. That covers the full written and oral exam, held on a single day, so you pay once and sit everything in one go.
Keep in mind that every TEF or TCF booking at Alliance Française is completely final. There's no refund, no credit and no rescheduling, and you can't transfer your seat to another person.
So check these before you enter your card details, not after:
- Your work shifts on the exam day
- Childcare for the whole 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. window
- Travel to the right site, Cambie Street or New Westminster
- Your passport, in hand and ready
How early should you book a TCF seat?
Book about three months before exam day, the moment registration opens. Alliance Française Vancouver releases TCF Canada seats in short windows, and seats usually go 8 to 12 weeks before the exam.
For one 2026 session, Vancouver registration opened about 12 weeks before exam day and closed a week later. New Westminster's window opened a week after that and also ran one week. Both sites were sold out at least eight weeks before the exam.
| Count back from the date you need your result | Time |
|---|---|
| TCF results arrive by email | Up to 4 weeks after exam day |
| Exam day | At least 4 weeks before you need the result |
| Registration opens (about one week per site) | About 12 weeks before exam day |
| Start checking the centre's TCF page | About 4 months before you need the result |
Got a strict deadline? Work backward. Allow up to 4 weeks to receive results and 12 weeks for registration. That means you should watch the centre's website about four months ahead, ready to grab a spot the day it opens.
On registration day
- Log in to your Alliance Française account before the window opens
- Have your passport number ready to type
- Use one browser tab only
- Don't refresh again and again: several tabs or repeated refreshing can cancel your reservation
Alliance Française also sells TCF workshops. Participants may get priority access to selected exam seats, and then have one week to confirm and pay. The centre assigns the exam date, so you don't pick it yourself.
TEF or TCF: which test fits a Vancouver candidate?
Both tests count for Express Entry, so the choice in Vancouver is practical. At Alliance Française Vancouver, TEF results come faster, and the TEF is the one to pick if you need extra time or a separate room.
| At Alliance Française Vancouver (2026) | TEF Canada | TCF Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Results by email | Up to 2 weeks | Up to 4 weeks |
| Preferred for extra time or a separate room | Yes | No |
| Booking is final, no refund | Yes | Yes |
| Passport is the only ID accepted | Yes | Yes |
For accommodations, you'll need a medical certificate at least 2 weeks before the exam. The TEF Canada has four sections, and you must take all four on the same day for Canadian immigration to accept your certificate:
- Compréhension orale (listening): 40 minutes, 40 questions
- Compréhension écrite (reading): 60 minutes, 40 questions
- Expression orale (speaking): 15 minutes, 2 topics
- Expression écrite (writing): 60 minutes, 2 topics
In real life, if Cambie has no TCF spots left but New Westminster has a TEF seat open, you take the seat. If you want to look at each test section before you pick, read our breakdown of the DELF, TEF or TCF for Canada.
What to bring on exam day at Alliance Française
Bring your passport. Alliance Française Vancouver accepts no other ID at check-in. Exams run between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and the centre emails your exact time about one week before.
People lose seats over small things. Show up with a driver's licence instead of a passport and you won't be checked in. Since the purchase is final, the $390 is gone too.
Pack the night before
- Your passport, checked and in your bag
- The email with your exact start time
- The right address: Cambie Street or Columbia St in New Westminster
Don't plan a tight day
The exam window runs from morning to late afternoon, and you won't know your slot until a week before. Leave the whole day free: no shift, no school pickup, no appointment you'd have to rush to.
When do results arrive, and how long do they count for Express Entry?
Alliance Française Vancouver emails TEF results in up to 2 weeks, while TCF results take up to 4 weeks, and both stay valid for two years.
IRCC accepts your language results for Express Entry only while they're less than 2 years old. They have to be under that limit when you complete your profile, and still under it when you submit your application for permanent residence.
Entering TEF scores in your profile
TEF candidates have one more rule. Enter only the scores from the Équivalence ancien score (previous score equivalency) column, one per language ability. People do type the other column's numbers by accident, so double-check before you save.
If a section comes back lower than you need, retrain that one skill hard and keep the others warm with lighter practice. Our guide to retaking the TEF Canada to raise your CLB score walks through what to change before the next sitting.
What French level does BC immigration ask for?
WelcomeBC sets the bar for BC PNP Skills Immigration at CLB 4 or higher. Registrations stay in the pool for up to 12 months. Express Entry is a different program with its own French bonus.
| Goal | French level that matters | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| BC PNP Skills Immigration | CLB 4 minimum | Meets the stream's language requirement |
| Express Entry French bonus | CLB 7 or higher | Up to 50 extra CRS points (25 or 50, depending on your English result) |
The gap between CLB 4 and CLB 7 is large, and it changes how long you need to study before you book. Rules and streams do change, so if you're unsure which score your own profile needs, talk to a licensed consultant on the official CICC register.
If you are over on Vancouver Island, take a look at our page on French and TCF preparation in Victoria to see how our online classes work.
How we help Vancouver candidates get ready for their seat
Now you have an exam date on your calendar, and we can work backwards from it. Learn French in Vancouver has prepared adults for the TEF and TCF in Gastown and online since 2017, with 4,500+ students taught. Classes run twice a week, 90 minutes each, with a maximum of 14 students.
Which class you choose depends on your current French level as well as your test date:
- Zero French and a CLB 7 goal: 12 months, six of foundations and six of exam preparation
- Some French already (B1 or higher): TEF Intermediate exam preparation, 6 months for CLB 7 or 3 months for CLB 5
- Not sure of your level: take the free French level test first, then decide
The exam work goes section by section, with mock exams scored by teachers who know the marking grid. Live classes aren't recorded, so class time is for speaking. Every plan includes 1 year of our online platform, with pre-recorded lessons by our teachers, so a missed evening won't set you back.
"I'm having a great experience learning French with Camille! She is patient, knowledgeable, and explains concepts very clearly. Her TEF/TCF preparation is helpful and boosted my confidence. I recommend her to anyone serious about learning French!" (Pushpendra Singh, 5 stars)
Be honest with yourself about timing. Say your seat is three months away and you're starting from zero. CLB 7 won't happen by then, and you'd rather know that before you pay a final, non-refundable fee.
