TEF IRN Mulhouse

The TEF IRN (Test d'Évaluation de Français pour l'Intégration, la Résidence et la Nationalité) is an official French test issued by Le français des affaires (CCI Paris Île-de-France). It is intended for people engaged in French administrative procedures: naturalisation application, long-stay residence card (10 years), access to French nationality. Linguaphone is a TEF IRN authorised centre and organises sessions in Mulhouse at its centre at 4 rue Fredo Krumnov.

The TEF IRN assesses only oral skills: listening comprehension and oral expression. It certifies a CEFR level from A1 to B1+. For French naturalisation, the required level is B1 oral (since the decree of 24 December 2019). For the long-stay residence card, the required level is A2 oral. Results are valid for 2 years.

The TEF IRN includes two papers: listening comprehension (10 minutes, multiple-choice questions on audio extracts) and oral expression (10 minutes, individual interview with an examiner). Total duration: about 20 minutes. The registration fee at the Linguaphone Mulhouse centre is around €120 to €150. Official results are delivered by post within 4 to 6 weeks. The official certificate includes the CEFR level obtained.

Registration is made directly with the Linguaphone Mulhouse centre, 4 rue Fredo Krumnov 68200 Mulhouse, by phone on 03 89 33 13 63 or by email. Payment can be made by bank card, transfer or cheque (payable to Linguaphone NT). Sessions are held regularly throughout the year. No registration is validated without prior payment. A valid ID is mandatory on the day of the exam.

Linguaphone offers TEF IRN preparation pathways in Mulhouse in French as a Foreign Language (FLE), individually or in small groups, with qualified FLE trainers. Depending on your starting level, expect 20 to 60 hours of preparation. The training is eligible for CPF funding (capped at €1,500 since the decree of 26 February 2026, with a personal contribution of €150) and can be covered by your OPCO or France Travail. A free placement test is run before starting.

The TEF IRN is the test specifically intended for administrative procedures (naturalisation, residence). It only assesses oral skills and certifies up to B1+. The DELF (Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française) is a diploma from the French Ministry of Education, valid for life, more comprehensive (4 skills: listening, reading, speaking, writing). For naturalisation, both TEF IRN and DELF B1 are accepted; the TEF IRN is often quicker to take (20 minutes vs several hours for the DELF). For long-stay residence, TEF IRN at A2 oral level is sufficient.