TCF IRN
Test de connaissance du français
Integration, Residence and Nationality
Take your TCF IRN exam in Bordeauxat Newdeal Instituteto determine your level of French and obtain your certificate for an application for a residence permit in France or an application for French nationality.
OFFICIAL FRENCH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TEST
FOR RESIDENT PERMIT
OR FRENCH NATIONALITY
The TCF IRN is the French Integration, Residency and Nationality test.
This French exam is designed to test knowledge of the French language for applications for a residence permit in France (level B1) or access to French nationality (level B2).
The Ministry of the Interior ‘s Department of Integration and Access to Nationality has commissioned the public body France Éducation International to create a French test to meet the needs of foreigners living in France. This test was introduced in January 2022.
Newdeal Institut is aFrench exam centre approved by France Éducation International to administer TCF tests and DELF/DALF exams.
⚠️ If you have little or no command of written French, please contact us at.
| TCF – INTEGRATION, RESIDENCE ET NATIONALITE | |
|---|---|
| EPREUVE SUR ORDINATEUR | DURÉE |
| Compréhension orale (25 questions) | 20 Minutes |
| Compréhension écrite (25 questions) | 35 Minutes |
| Expression écrite (3 exercices) | 30 Minutes |
| Expression orale (3 exercices) | 10 Minutes |
DETAILS OF THE TCF IRN TESTS
The TCF IRN consists of 4 tests lasting a total of approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes:
- Listening comprehension: Group test with 25 multiple-choice questions (4 answer choices, one correct answer): duration 20 minutes
Each recording is played only once. The questions are asked after listening to the audio. - Reading comprehension: group test with 25 multiple-choice questions (4 answer choices, one correct answer): 35 minutes
- Written comprehension: The test consists of 3 writing exercises: lasting 30 minutes
- Speaking: This individual part of the test consists of 3 exercises with an examiner : it lasts 10 minutes.
LEVELS TO BE OBTAINED
The TCF IRN Integration, Residence, and Nationality is for all individuals from foreign countries aged 16 or older who wish to validate their level of French before obtaining:
Following the promulgation of law no. 2024-42 on 26 January 2024, the new government requirements for proficiency in French are evolving and will be applied by the authorities by January 2026 at the latest:
- Naturalisation: a B2 level will be required.
- Resident card: a B1 level will be required.
- Multi-annual residence permit: A2 level now required
To anticipate these new requirements, the TCF IRN is being adapted so that candidates can be assessed up to level B2 from May 2025.
The TCF IRN tests up to level B2, but is not accepted by French universities because it does not include the Maîtrise des structures de la langue test. To study in France, it is necessary to take a TCF TP or a DELF/DALF.
Duration
Approximately 1h35 min
Assessed Skills
The tests include a written comprehension and an oral exam - both with multiple choice questions. As well as a writing test and a speaking test with the examiners.
Format
Individual test on computer
with headphones
the CEFR level is assessed
From January 2026,
Naturalisation: B2 level
Residence permit: B1 level
Multi-annual residence permit: A2 level
The certificate is valid for
2 years
Don't forget
your valid form of ID
Price includes VAT
165€
for all the tests
⚠️ All the TCF exam sessions are taken on computers, located within our Bordeaux office. If you would like to take a paper-based exam, see our DELF-DALF page which are valid diplomas for the same purposes.
AN KEY PART OF YOUR APPLICATION TO THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES (PRÉFECTURE)
For all validated and paid registrations for the exam, Newdeal Institut will provide a certificate of registration to enable you to justify your request to the local authorities.
In the event of passing an exam, an official certificate will be delivered to you via ‘France Education International’ and should be presented in conjunction with your file to the relevant authorities.
Please note, the tests are marked twice by France Education International in Paris, this means there is about a month’s wait before you can obtain your results.
The certificate acquired from the official result is valid for two years. We strongly encourage you to keep copies.
Please note that if you fail this test, it is possible to reapply provided you respect a minimum period of 30 days between two registrations.
The DELF B1 exam is also accepted for residence permit applications and the DELF B2 exam is also valid for French nationality applications or theTEF IRN exam.
Do you want to take a TCF IRN
to certify your level of French in Bordeaux
or do you have any questions?
