The TEF IRN (Test d'Évaluation de Français pour l'Immigration, la Résidence et la Naturalisation) is a specific version of the TEF designed for administrative immigration processes in France. Unlike other TEF versions aimed at students or workers in Canada, the TEF IRN is used directly by French authorities to assess whether applicants meet the language requirement for a long-stay visa, a resident permit (titre de séjour), or French citizenship. Knowing exactly what this exam is for shapes everything about how you prepare for it.
What you’ll learn
- Understand what TEF IRN is and which administrative procedures require it
- Know the four compulsory tests, their timings and the 2026 format
- Recognise the score levels required for a residence permit and for naturalisation in 2026
- Understand how TEF IRN differs from TEF Canada and TEF Études
What TEF IRN stands for
IRN stands for Immigration, Résidence, Naturalisation. The exam was created specifically to meet the requirements set by the French government for non-EU nationals applying for a long-stay visa or a ten-year residence permit (carte de résident), and for people applying for French citizenship by naturalisation. The testing body is the CCIP (Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris) through its subsidiary CCI Paris Île-de-France.
Who takes TEF IRN
- Non-EU nationals applying for a "carte de résident" (10-year permit)
- People applying for French citizenship by naturalisation
- Spouses of French nationals applying for a long-stay visa in certain prefectures
Which tests does the TEF IRN include
The TEF IRN tests all four skills. Since the exam was extended to B2 in May 2025 it is made up of four compulsory tests: compréhension écrite (reading), compréhension orale (listening), expression écrite (writing) and expression orale (speaking). All four have to be sat on the same day for the certificate to be recognised by French authorities. Older guides that describe a listening-and-reading-only exam are describing a format that no longer exists.
- Compréhension écrite: 20 questions, 30 minutes
- Compréhension orale: 20 questions, 20 minutes
- Expression écrite: two tasks, 30 minutes (at least 40 words in 10 minutes, then at least 100 words in 20 minutes)
- Expression orale: two tasks, 10 minutes (5 minutes each, face to face with an examiner)
- Total: about 90 minutes, all four tests on the same day
Do not book the wrong TEF version
- The TEF Canada and TEF Québec are NOT accepted for French immigration procedures.
- Only a certificate labelled "TEF IRN" is valid for French administrative purposes.
- Some centres offer all TEF versions; confirm the exact version when registering.
Score requirements in 2026
The thresholds moved for applications filed from 1 January 2026. Naturalisation is now assessed at B2 in both spoken and written French, up from B1. A carte de résident and a carte de séjour pluriannuelle are assessed at B1 under the arrêté of 22 December 2025. These levels are set by decree and prefecture practice varies, so confirm the current requirement for your own procedure on service-public.gouv.fr or with your prefecture before you book.
Niveau B2 : «Je peux comprendre le contenu essentiel de sujets concrets ou abstraits et communiquer avec un degré de spontanéité qui rende possible un échange fluide.»
B2 level: "I can understand the main content of concrete or abstract topics and communicate fluently enough for a natural exchange." This is the level now required for French naturalisation.
Each of the four tests is scored from 0 to 499, and every CEFR band is 100 points wide. Your overall level is not your average: three tests have to clear the band and your weakest test has to clear a lower floor, 267 for B1 and 367 for B2. The certificate is valid for two years from the test session, so check that yours has not expired, and remember that an attestation issued under the old B1 rule may still be inside its two-year window without meeting the current naturalisation threshold.
How TEF IRN differs from other TEF versions
All TEF versions share the same pool of exam questions and the same scoring scale. The difference lies in purpose, the combination of components required, and the authority that accepts the result.
- TEF IRN: for French immigration and naturalisation procedures
- TEF Canada: for Canadian permanent residency and immigration (IRCC)
- TEF Québec (TEFAQ): for immigration to Québec (assessed by the MIFI)
- TEF Études: for admission to French or Belgian universities and grandes écoles
Check the exact name on your registration confirmation
- Your registration receipt should clearly state "TEF IRN".
- If it says "TEF Canada" or "TEFAQ", contact the test centre immediately to correct the booking.
How to prepare for TEF IRN
The TEF IRN shares its question types and its CEFR scale with the other TEF versions, so standard TEF practice transfers directly. Because your certificate is capped by your weakest test, spread your preparation across all four skills rather than the two comprehension tests, and work at B1 to B2 level if you are aiming at a residence permit or naturalisation.
- 1Confirm the level your specific procedure requires, B1 for a residence card or B2 for naturalisation.
- 2Book a session at an approved CCI testing centre at least six weeks before your administrative deadline.
- 3Practice short TEF-style listening tasks with everyday French (announcements, phone messages, brief dialogues).
- 4Practice TEF-style reading tasks with short texts: notices, emails, simple press articles.
- 5Practise both writing tasks against the clock, 40 words in 10 minutes then 100 words in 20 minutes, and rehearse speaking in two five-minute blocks.
- 6Take at least one full timed practice session before the real exam.
Where to find official practice material
- The CCI Paris Île-de-France website offers official sample questions and a preparation guide.
- Search for "exemples de sujets TEF" on the official CCIP website to access free practice items.
- Practise listening to French radio (France Inter, RFI) at normal speed daily, even for 10 minutes.
Key takeaways
- TEF IRN is the only TEF version accepted for French immigration, residence, and naturalisation procedures.
- The TEF IRN is four compulsory tests, reading, listening, writing and speaking, sat on the same day in about 90 minutes.
- Since 1 January 2026 naturalisation is assessed at B2, while a carte de résident is assessed at B1.
- Your TEF IRN certificate is valid for two years; make sure it has not expired before submitting your dossier.
- Your level is capped by your weakest test, so prepare all four skills rather than only the comprehension ones.
