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TCF Canada in Chicago: not offered — the TEF Canada instead, and the nearest TCF centers
If you are looking for the TCF Canada in Chicago, the answer is no: the Alliance Française de Chicago — «Illinois' only official French examination center» — offers the TCF tout public and the TCF IRN, but not the TCF Canada. For Canadian immigration it offers the TEF Canada, the other French test IRCC accepts, for $415: on October 18, 2026, every session until December 15 was full, and five January 2027 dates were open. Here are the dates, and the nearest TCF Canada centers.
- 1 approved TCF center in Illinois: the Alliance Française de Chicago, 810 North Dearborn Street — no TCF Canada (TCF tout public and IRN only).
- TEF Canada: $415, accepted by IRCC like the TCF Canada; on site only, for the whole day (9 am–5 pm); results in 1 to 10 business days.
- ⚠️ TEF Canada full on Oct 27, Nov 10, 17 and 24, Dec 1 and 15, 2026; open on Jan 5, 12, 15, 19 and 22, 2027.
- At least 30 days between two TEF Canada sessions.
- Nearest TCF Canada centers on October 8: Detroit ($330, full until April 2027) and Kansas City ($370, 2027 dates on sale).
Contents
TEF Canada in Chicago, or the TCF Canada elsewhere
For Express Entry or Canadian citizenship, IRCC accepts either the TCF Canada or the TEF Canada: the score tables differ, but both convert to CLB levels (TCF vs TEF Canada). In Chicago, only the TEF Canada is on offer: «The entirety of this exam takes place on-site at the Alliance Française de Chicago … The TEF Canada exam cannot be taken remotely», and the Alliance asks you to reserve the whole day. On October 18, 2026, its sessions of October 27, November 10, 17 and 24, December 1 and December 15 were full; January 5, 12, 15, 19 and 22, 2027 were open. Results come in 1 to 10 business days, and you must wait at least 30 days before another session.
If you have prepared for the TCF Canada specifically, the nearest centers were Detroit ($330, monthly, but full until April 2027 on October 8) and Kansas City ($370, 2027 dates on sale on October 8); Houston was opening a session every Wednesday. Fees and dates for each: our USA page. To prepare for the TEF, see TEF Canada: format and scores.
The approved TCF center in Chicago
How to read this list. It reproduces the official list of test centers approved by France Éducation international (FEI), read on October 8, 2026: name, address, phone, generic email and website as FEI publishes them; where the listed website no longer works or has moved, we give the one we opened that day. “Computer-based”: FEI lists the center as offering computer sessions; “paper-based”: FEI lists no computer sessions. The “TCF Canada” badges come from our check of each center’s website on 18 October 2026. An organization that is not on this list is not approved.
Alliance française
810 North Dearborn Street, 60610 Chicago (Illinois)
computer-based no TCF Canada
The official lists
FEI’s official list of TCF test centers — United States · map of TCF centers. These lists change: FEI adds and removes centers during the year — ours is dated October 8, 2026. If in doubt, FEI’s list is the reference.
The center gives you the date; the score is up to you
You pay the full fee for each session, and you can’t retake the test right away. The mock exams in the “TCF DELF TEF: Tests 2026” app follow the official format of each test — TCF Canada, TCF Québec, TCF IRN — scored like the real thing, with AI feedback on writing and speaking.
Download on the App StoreFrequently asked questions
Can I take the TCF Canada in Chicago?
No: on October 18, 2026, the Alliance Française de Chicago — the only approved center in Illinois — offered the TCF tout public and the TCF IRN, but not the TCF Canada. For immigration, it offers the TEF Canada.
How much does the TEF Canada cost in Chicago?
$415 for the full exam needed for immigration, at the Alliance Française de Chicago (October 18, 2026).
When is the next TEF Canada in Chicago?
On October 18, 2026, every session until December 15 was full; the open dates were January 5, 12, 15, 19 and 22, 2027.
Does IRCC accept the TEF Canada instead of the TCF Canada?
Yes: IRCC accepts both for Express Entry and citizenship, each with its own conversion table to CLB levels.
Related pages
- TCF Canada in the USA
Every approved center, fees from $330, and where the seats are.
- TCF vs TEF Canada
The two French tests IRCC accepts, side by side.
- TEF Canada practice test
The format, with exercises.
Sources. France Éducation international’s list of exam centers (filter “États-Unis”, type “TCF”), read on October 8, 2026 — contact details as FEI publishes them, generic email addresses only; the Alliance Française de Chicago's exams, TEF Canada and TCF tout public pages (af-chicago.org), checked on October 18, 2026; the October 8, 2026 check of the other US centers. Prices, dates and rules change without notice: check them on the center’s website before paying.