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TCF Canada exam fees: what you pay and how to avoid paying twice
There is no single price for the TCF Canada exam. The fee depends on the test centre. For example, Alliance Française Toronto charges CAD $390, and Alliance Française de Philadelphie charges US$360 (US$340 for members). The fee is for the full exam: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Why the price is different in every city
IRCC accepts TCF Canada results, but it does not set the price of the test. About fees, its page on language testing only says that you must book your test with an agency approved by IRCC and pay the costs. It gives no amount.
So the fee depends on the centre you choose, its country and its currency. Before you compare prices, check that the centre is approved for TCF Canada and that it has an open session before your deadline.
Two examples of real fees
| Centre | Fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Alliance Française Toronto (Canada) | CAD $390 | Full exam only. Online registration only. Computer and paper sessions. |
| Alliance Française de Philadelphie (USA) | US$360, or US$340 for members | Paper exam. Registration closes one month before the exam date. |
Source: the TCF Canada pages of Alliance Française Toronto and Alliance Française de Philadelphie, checked 24 October 2026. Fees change, so confirm on the centre's website before you pay.
For India, see our page on TCF Canada exam centres in India, which lists the cities and what to ask each centre.
What the fee covers
All four tests. The fee covers reading, listening, writing and speaking. At Toronto, TCF Canada must be taken as a complete exam: you cannot register for only some parts.
The format and timing of the four tests are in our guide to the TCF Canada exam.
Refund, transfer and late rules
Rules are strict. Here is what two centres say.
- Toronto: no refunds. Once you register, cancellation and refund are not possible. You can move to another date, but a $100 administrative fee applies. You can transfer up to 15 days before a computer session and up to 30 days before a paper session.
- Toronto: credit expires. After a transfer you get a credit, and you must register for a new session within 6 months. After that, the fee expires.
- Toronto: late means absent. A late candidate is not admitted after the exam starts. This counts as an absence, and you pay the full fee again to re-register.
- Philadelphia: no refund close to the exam. If you cancel or reschedule within 30 days of the exam date, no refund is issued.
The lesson is simple: choose your date carefully before you pay, bring a valid photo ID and arrive early.
The real cost is the retake
If your writing or speaking score is below the level you need, you pay again. At Toronto, two sessions for the same candidate must be at least 20 days apart, and each attempt has its own fee. IRCC also says your results must be less than 2 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you apply, so a retake can be needed if you wait too long.
Writing is the part where many candidates lose points. On the IRCC table, 10 or 11 out of 20 in writing gives NCLC 7, so for NCLC 7 you need at least 10. The score table is on our score chart page.
Source: IRCC, language testing for Express Entry (canada.ca), checked 24 October 2026.
How to avoid paying twice
- Practise each writing task with a timer. Start with the overview of the 3 writing tasks.
- Get every practice text corrected. Read each correction and rewrite the sentence yourself.
- Aim above the line. If you need 10 out of 20, practise until your texts are clearly stronger than that.
- Book when you are ready. A retake costs a full fee again, so a few more weeks of practice can save money.
Check your writing before you pay for the exam
Paste your Task 1, 2 or 3 text and get a score out of 20, your NCLC level and every mistake explained in English, Português, हिंदी or ਪੰਜਾਬੀ. 5 free checks a day, no sign-up.
Check my writing freeQuestions
How much does the TCF Canada exam cost?
The fee depends on the test centre. Alliance Française Toronto lists CAD $390, and Alliance Française de Philadelphie lists US$360 for non-members and US$340 for members. Check the centre you plan to use.
Does IRCC set the TCF Canada fee?
No. IRCC says you must schedule your test with an approved agency and pay the costs, and it does not give an amount.
Can I get a refund for TCF Canada?
It depends on the centre. Toronto says cancellations and refunds are not possible after you register, and Philadelphia gives no refund for a cancellation within 30 days of the exam. Read your centre's rules before you pay.
Can I take only one part of TCF Canada?
No. Both centres we checked list four compulsory tests, and Toronto says you cannot register for individual components.
How long are TCF Canada results valid for IRCC?
Your results must be less than 2 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you apply for permanent residence.
More about TCF Canada
- TCF Canada score calculator: NCLC level and CRS points
- TCF Canada word counter for writing Tasks 1, 2 and 3
- TCF Canada writing Task 1: format and example
- TCF Canada writing Task 2: format and example
- TCF Canada writing Task 3: structure and example
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