A2 or B1: the French you need for a residence card

What changed on January 1, 2026

France's immigration and integration law of January 26, 2024 raised the level of French required from foreign residents. Since January 1, 2026, the required levels are:

• Multi-year residence card (carte de séjour pluriannuelle, 2 to 4 years): A2
• Resident card (carte de résident, 10 years): B1
• Naturalisation: B2 (see our dedicated page)

These are CEFR levels. The requirement applies the first time you apply for each card. You don't need to prove your level again for a renewal. A resident card requested after a multi-year card is still a first application for a resident card, so B1 applies.

The same applications also require a pass in the civic exam.

How to prove your level

According to the préfectures, you need a diploma, a certification, or a training certificate from an approved training center, at A2 or higher for the multi-year card and B1 or higher for the resident card. The most common certifications are:

• TCF IRN (Intégration, Résidence et Nationalité), from France Éducation international
• TEF IRN, from the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce
• DELF at the required level (A2 or B1), a diploma that never expires

TCF IRN and TEF IRN are tests: they give you a level, whatever it is. DELF is a diploma that you pass or fail. Always check with your préfecture which proof it accepts, and how long it stays valid, before you register.

TCF IRN at a glance

According to test centers, TCF IRN has four sections taken on the same day, about 1 hour 35 minutes in total:

• Listening: 25 multiple-choice questions, 20 minutes
• Reading: 25 multiple-choice questions, 35 minutes
• Writing: 3 tasks, 30 minutes
• Speaking: 3 tasks, 10 minutes, face to face with an examiner

Speaking and writing are often what separates one level from the next. That's where practice with a real person helps most.

Who is exempt?

The préfectures list exemptions including:

• at least one year of higher education in France, or at least three years of secondary school in France;
• being 16 to 18 years old;
• being over 65;
• Algerian nationals;
• beneficiaries of international protection, and their family members;
• certain other situations, such as parents and children of French citizens or "Talent" card holders.

The exact list depends on your situation and the card you're applying for, so check with your préfecture.

This is practice, not the official exam

ImChatty doesn't administer TCF IRN, TEF IRN or DELF, and doesn't issue any certificate for your application. We offer a free level test, free French conversation practice and sessions with independent French tutors.

Where ImChatty fits

1. Check your level, free. The level test on this page estimates your CEFR level in under 15 minutes, so you know whether you're already at A2 or B1, or how far you have to go.
2. Practice conversation. Free French chat helps you get comfortable speaking.
3. Book a French tutor. Prepare the speaking and writing sections of TCF IRN, TEF IRN or DELF with a tutor who plans around your exam date.

Who this is for

• People applying for their first multi-year residence card
• Multi-year card holders moving to a resident card
• Spouses and families unsure which level to aim for
• Anyone choosing between TCF IRN, TEF IRN and DELF

Common questions

Do I need to retake a test to renew my card? No. The language requirement applies to the first application for each card, not to renewals.

Is TCF Canada accepted? It's designed for Canadian immigration. For a French residence card, test centers offer TCF IRN or TEF IRN, so check with your préfecture before using another test.

Does ImChatty's level test count for my application? No. It's a free estimate of where you stand, not an official certification.

What about the civic exam? It's required for the same applications. See our civic exam page.