English test requirements for Canada
Last verified 3 Oct 2026 against canada.ca (language testing)
SHORT ANSWER
Canada sets a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) on each program, and IRCC publishes a table that turns a CELPIP, IELTS General Training or PTE Core score into a CLB. CLB 7 in every skill is the line for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class for TEER 0 or 1 jobs, and a university PGWP.
NOT ADVICERequirements change. Confirm on the official IRCC page before you book a test or submit your application.
The numbers people look for
Each links to the page with the full table and the source.
Express Entry
CLB 7 in all four skills for the Canadian Experience Class (TEER 0 or 1) and the Federal Skilled Worker Program: CELPIP 7, IELTS General Training 6.0, PTE Core 60–69. See the Express Entry page.
PGWP
CLB 7 for a university program and CLB 5 for a college, polytechnic or non-university program, in all four skills. See the PGWP page.
Citizenship
CLB 4 in speaking and listening for applicants 18 to 54. See the citizenship page.
CRS language points
CLB 7 is worth 17 points per ability and CLB 9 is worth 31 without a partner. Open the calculator.
CELPIP scores
Listening and reading have Paragon's example raw-score charts. Writing and speaking are marked by raters. See the listening chart.
Which PTE
PTE Core is the version IRCC accepts for Express Entry. PTE Academic or PTE Core.
By program
Find the program you are applying for.
Language score for Express EntryCEC, FSW and Federal Skilled TradesProgramLanguage proof for citizenshipSpeaking and listening, ages 18 to 54ProgramLanguage test score for the PGWPUniversity and college programsProgramCRS points for languagePer ability, with and without a partnerPointsEnglish tests IRCC acceptsCELPIP, IELTS and PTE Core, and the version that countsGuide
By CLB level
What each level needs in the three accepted tests.
CLB 10 in CELPIP, IELTS and PTE CoreIELTS General Training 7.5–8.5, PTE Core 88–90LevelCLB 9 in CELPIP, IELTS and PTE CoreIELTS General Training 7.0–8.0, PTE Core 78–88LevelCLB 8 in CELPIP, IELTS and PTE CoreIELTS General Training 6.5–7.5, PTE Core 69–79LevelCLB 7 in CELPIP, IELTS and PTE CoreIELTS General Training 6.0, PTE Core 60–69LevelCLB 6 in CELPIP, IELTS and PTE CoreIELTS General Training 5.0–5.5, PTE Core 50–60LevelCLB 5 in CELPIP, IELTS and PTE CoreIELTS General Training 4.0–5.0, PTE Core 39–51LevelCLB 4 in CELPIP, IELTS and PTE CoreIELTS General Training 3.5–4.5, PTE Core 28–42Level
Score charts
CELPIP score chart and CLBEvery level for the three testsChartIELTS General Training to CLBThe band you need in each skillChartPTE Core score chartIRCC's table by CLBChartCELPIP listening score chartExample raw scores out of 38ChartCELPIP reading score chartExample raw scores out of 38ChartCELPIP writing score chartParagon's level descriptorsChartCELPIP speaking score chartParagon's level descriptorsChart
Guides and comparisons
Booking, results, costs and comparisons
The pages people open after the numbers.
CELPIP score chart and CLB levelsLevels, raw scores out of 38, descriptorsChartCELPIP results time and re-evaluation2 to 4 business days, late scores, re-evaluationResultsCELPIP test price in CanadaGeneral, General LS, transfers and cancellingFeesPTE Core price and exam datesFee, dates, ID and cancellationsBookingPTE Core score chartCLB 4 to 10 and how the 10 to 90 score is madeChartIELTS General Training to CLBThe band you need in each skillChartCELPIP vs IELTSSide by side, same CLBCompareIs CELPIP easier than IELTS?What actually differs, attributedCompare
Prep, practice and test guides
Every guide for this country, by test.
PTE Academic and PTE Core
PTE Core coupon codes and discounts in CanadaGUIDEPTE Core practice test: free and paid options, with a set of our ownGUIDEPTE Core reading practice test: five tasks, with answersGUIDEPTE Core email template, samples and markingGUIDEPTE Core practice: tips, books and study plansGUIDEPTE Core courses and classes for CanadaGUIDEPTE Core Describe Image: how it works, with practiceGUIDEPTE Academic free mock test in Canada: what is free, and which test to practise forGUIDEPTE Read Aloud in Canada: how it works in PTE Academic and PTE CoreGUIDEPTE reading practice for Canada: PTE Core and PTE AcademicGUIDEPTE exam examples for Canada: PTE Core questions with sample answersGUIDEPTE speaking practice for Canada: PTE Core tasks, tips and a practice setGUIDEPTE exam books and preparation materials for Canada: PTE Core firstGUIDE
CELPIP
CELPIP score comparison chart: how to read the levelsGUIDECELPIP course options: free webinars, paid study, classes and tutorsGUIDECELPIP discount code, promo code and voucher: what is realGUIDECELPIP General vs CELPIP General LS: the difference and which one to bookGUIDECELPIP listening practice test: free sources, paid sets and a mini setGUIDECELPIP listening test samples, with worked answers and common mistakesGUIDECELPIP listening: the six parts, the scoring and how to prepareGUIDECELPIP online practice test: what is free, what is paid and how to use itGUIDECELPIP reading practice test: free tests, timings and a mini set to tryGUIDECELPIP reading samples: two worked examples and how to read themGUIDECELPIP reading: tips for each part and a study planGUIDECELPIP registration, your CELPIP account and resultsGUIDECELPIP samples: the free sample test, sample answers and our own examplesGUIDECELPIP speaking practice test: the eight tasks and a mini set to recordGUIDECELPIP speaking samples: model answers, sample questions and templatesGUIDECELPIP speaking: tips for every task, from Task 1 to Task 8GUIDECELPIP speaking topics: original practice questions by themeGUIDECELPIP test centres: Kamloops, London, Saskatoon, Regina, Nanaimo, Victoria and LethbridgeGUIDEHow to prepare for CELPIP: free resources, courses, tips and a study planGUIDECELPIP vocabulary: word and phrase lists by function, with examplesGUIDEPTE vs CELPIP: how PTE Core and CELPIP-General compare for CanadaGUIDECELPIP writing practice test: free official practice and a timed set of oursGUIDECELPIP writing samples: two model answers and how writing is markedGUIDECELPIP writing: tips for Task 1 and Task 2, timing and markingGUIDECELPIP writing topics: practice questions for Task 1 and Task 2GUIDE
IELTS
IELTS Academic vs General Training for CanadaGUIDEIELTS band score chart for General Training reading and listeningGUIDEIELTS courses, coaching, tutors and General Training writing practice for CanadaGUIDEIELTS promo codes and coupons in Canada: what existsGUIDEIELTS in Canada: IDP or British CouncilGUIDEIELTS Listening practice test: free owner tests, PDFs and a set of oursGUIDEIELTS Listening marking, band scores and tipsGUIDEIELTS practice test PDF: free tests for General Training and AcademicGUIDEIELTS Academic Reading practice test: free tests, PDFs and a set of oursGUIDEIELTS Reading tips and the raw score to band tableGUIDEIELTS rescheduling, expiry date and your IELTS account in CanadaGUIDEIELTS results in Canada: result calculator, TRF number, results time and re-marksGUIDEIELTS speaking cue cards: how Part 2 works and 24 original cards to practiseGUIDEIELTS speaking Part 2: how to answer the long turn, with topic types and a worked exampleGUIDEIELTS speaking Part 3: the discussion, with answer shapes and 24 practice questionsGUIDEIELTS speaking practice tests: free official samples and a mini test of our ownGUIDEIELTS speaking test samples: where to find them and two model answers of oursGUIDEIELTS speaking tips: the test, the marking and how to practiseGUIDEIELTS speaking topics, themes and subjects: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3GUIDEIELTS test centres in Canada: Markham, Burnaby, Scarborough, Victoria and moreGUIDEIELTS exam fee in Canada: price, validity, retakes and refundsGUIDEIELTS General Training books, the IDP booklet and free preparation for CanadaGUIDEIELTS vocabulary: idioms for Speaking, phrases for Writing and connectors, with examplesGUIDEIELTS General Training writing practice test: free sets, a timed run and an original paperGUIDEIELTS letter writing samples and essay samples for General Training, with model answersGUIDEIELTS Writing Task 1 General Training: the letter, step by stepGUIDEIELTS Writing Task 2 questions: types, recent topics and plansGUIDEIELTS General Training writing tips for the letter and the essayGUIDEIELTS writing topics: twelve themes for the General Training letter and essayGUIDE
TOEFL
OET
Common questions
CELPIP-General, the IELTS General Training option and the PTE Core option. IRCC does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry.
CLB 7 for the Canadian Experience Class (TEER 0 or 1) and the Federal Skilled Worker Program, CLB 5 for the Canadian Experience Class (TEER 2 or 3), and 5, 4, 4, 5 for Federal Skilled Trades. The Express Entry page lists them all.
CAD 299 plus taxes for CELPIP General on Paragon's overview page. PTE Core is CAD 360 on Pearson's list, and IDP Canada: The cost of an IELTS test in Canada ranges between CAD $335 and $361 before tax.
CELPIP Test scores are available online through your CELPIP Account in 2-4 business days after your test date.
Your test results must be less than 2 years old when you: complete your Express Entry profile, and submit your application for permanent residence.