New French Language Requirements for Residency and Naturalization

Following the enactment of Law No. 2024-42 of January 26, 2024, the French government has introduced new language requirements that will take effect no later than January 1, 2026:


Important Information for Candidates

If you plan to apply using a B1 level, we recommend taking the TCF exam, as results are delivered within 10 days.

We have added a few TCF exams. You can check the calendar and register on the TCF page. 

By contrast, the DELF B1 diploma can take up to 6 months to arrive. For this reason, we strongly encourage candidates to choose the TCF IRN or the TCF TP (please note: all three exam sections are required).



DELF/DALF Exams

The DELF (le diplôme d’études en langue française) and DALF (le diplôme approfondi de langue française) are official, recognized diplomas representing your French ability level, which follow the guidelines of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The diplomas are recognised worldwide and are valid for life.

Each exam evaluates a completed level. For example, I'm taking an Elementary 3 class (A2.3), so I will need to finish Elementary 4 before taking the A2 exam to succeed. 

The DELF and DALF certifications can enhance a CV and make it easier to get a job in a french-speaking company. The DELF B1 (B2 as of January 2026) allows you to obtain French nationality. The DELF B2 and DALF C1 can allow entry into many Francophone universities, and into certain grandes écoles.


Please see each individual level for the details on each exam: 


DELF A1 DELF A1

DELF A2 DELF A2

DELF B1 DELF B1
DELF B2 DELF B2

DALF C1 DALF C1

DALF C2 DALF C2

DELF Junior A1 DELF Junior A1

DELF Junior A2 DELF Junior A2

DELF Junior B1 DELF Junior B1

DELF Junior B2 DELF Junior B2


DELF Scolaire (schools and teachers only) DELF Scolaire (schools and teachers only)


DELF /DALF 2025 


DELF Junior or Scolaire (Age 12-18 )

Registrations closing, unless all spots are taken
November 15

A1
December 1

A2
December 2

B1
December 3

B2 December 4


DELF TP 

Registrations closing, unless all spots are taken  November 15
A1
December 8
A2
December 8
B1
December 9
B2
December 10
C1
December 11
C2
December 12


DELF/DALF EXAMS 2026

DELF Prim (Ages 7-11 )

Registrations closing, unless all spots are taken  April 3
A1.1  April 18
A1
 April 18
A2
 April 18


DELF Junior or Scolaire (Age 12-18 )

Registrations closing, unless all spots are taken March 2

May 5

November 15

A1
March 16
May 18
December 1

A2
March 17 May 19
December 2

B1
March 18
May 20
December 3

B2 March 19 
May 21
December 4


DELF  TP 


Session 1 Session 2
Session 3
Session 4

Session 5
Registrations closing, unless all spots are taken February 15   March 26  May 22  October 5

 November 15
A1   March 2   N/A  June 8 October 19
December 7
A2
  March 2   N/A  June 8 October 19
December 7
B1
N/A
 April 8  June   9 October 20
December 8
B2
  March 4   April 9  June 10 October 21
December 9
C1
  N/A  April 10  June 11 October 22
December 10
C2
March 6 N/A  June 12
October 23
December 11




Individual part (Oral exam)

There may be a long gap between a candidate’s written and oral examinations. The candidate may be required to be present on more than one day. We do our best to schedule oral examination on the same day, but depending on the number of candidates and examiners' availability sometimes it's just not possible, or not possible to fit all candidates on the same day.  Some oral examinations are scheduled the week before, during the same week or the week after the written part.

When same day oral examination is available but to a limited number of candidates, priority will be given in this order:

- pregnant /disabled  
- out of state candidates with proof of travel (hotel booking, plane ticket, bus ticket) for oral examination on the same 
- minors (when presenting a DELF TP exam)

Please contact us at delf@afsf.com if you fall into one of these priority categories. 

Please respect the schedule you receive as we are on a tight schedule and  plan to arrive onsite 15 minutes before your first exam. 

You will receive your official notification with your exam schedule by email 1 week before the exam. Please check the email you use to register. 



 

EXAM
REGISTRATION

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Exam
Preparation

Private classes Private classes

 Group classes   Group classes 

     Workshops          Workshops    


DELF/DALF Exam
POLICY

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DELF / DALF FAQ


Don't  see your question here? Please reach out to lucas.paupin@afsf.com


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Alliance Française de San Francisco
1345 Bush Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
Tel: +1 (415) 775-7755
E-mail: afsf@afsf.com

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