Approved Language Tests for Canada
Canada has two official languages which are French and English. Various Canadian immigration applications require applicants to submit a valid approved language test with their application for Canadian permanent residence.
For English speaking applicants, Canada accepts the General Training International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) – General Test and as of 2024, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Core) will be accepted.
Learn More About IELTS in this Podcast Episode
For French speaking applicants, Canada accepts the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) Canada and the Test de connaissance du français (TCF) Canada.
Approved language tests are only valid for two years from the date the test was written. If your approved language test for Canada is older than two years old, you would need to write a new approved language test.
Depending on which immigration program you are applying under, you will be required to achieve a certain score, or level, in each section of your approved language test. These tests include four sections. The sections test your listening, reading, writing and speaking skills in English or French. The scores that you achieve in each section of the test are then used to evaluate whether you meet the requirements of the Canadian immigration program you are applying under.
Express Entry Language Requirements
Applicants who are looking to enter the Canadian Express Entry system need to ensure that they obtain the correct scores on an approved language test based on the program that they are applying under. The Express Entry system is only for those applicants applying as a (1) Federal Skilled Worker, (2) Federal Skilled Tradesperson, or member of the (3) Canadian Experience Class.
The minimums scores required to be eligible under the programs that use the Express Entry system are outlined below. The Express Entry system is a score based system which means that in most cases you would want to try and achieve higher than the minimums required in order to ensure the highest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score possible.
Learn More About Express Entry
Federal Skilled Worker Language Requirements
Those applying as Federal Skilled Workers are required to write an approved language test to show that they achieved a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC ) level 7 or higher in each section of their approved language test.
General Training IELTS
For those applicants who have chosen to write the General Training IELTS, they need to achieve the following scores, or higher, in each section of the test to be eligible. If any one section of the test is lower than what is listed below, you would not qualify as a Federal Skilled Worker:
PTE Core
For those applicants who have chosen to write the PTE Core language test, they need to achieve the following scores, or higher, in each section of the test to be eligible. If any one section of the test is lower than what is listed below, you would not qualify as a Federal Skilled Worker:
CELPIP General
For those applicants who have chosen to write the CELPIP General, they need to achieve the following scores, or higher, in each section of the test to be eligible. If any one section of the test is lower than what is listed below, you would not qualify as a Federal Skilled Worker:
TEF Canada
For those applicants who have chosen to write the TEF Canada, they need to achieve the following scores, or higher, in each section of the test to be eligible. If any one section of the test is lower than what is listed below, you would not qualify as a Federal Skilled Worker:
TCF Canada
For those applicants who have chosen to write the TCF Canada, they need to achieve the following scores, or higher, in each section of the test to be eligible. If any one section of the test is lower than what is listed below, you would not qualify as a Federal Skilled Worker:
Federal Skilled Trades Language Requirements
Those applying as Federal Skilled Workers are required to write an approved language test to show that they achieved a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC ) level 7 or higher in each section of their approved language test.
General Training IELTS
For those applicants who have chosen to write the General Training IELTS, they need to achieve the following scores, or higher, in each section of the test to be eligible. If any one section of the test is lower than what is listed below, you would not qualify under the Federal Skilled Trades Program:
PTE Core
For those applicants who have chosen to write the PTE Core language test, they need to achieve the following scores, or higher, in each section of the test to be eligible. If any one section of the test is lower than what is listed below, you would not qualify under the Federal Skilled Trades program:
CELPIP General
For those applicants who have chosen to write the CELPIP General, they need to achieve the following scores, or higher, in each section of the test to be eligible. If any one section of the test is lower than what is listed below, you would not qualify under the Federal Skilled Trades Program:
TEF Canada
For those applicants who have chosen to write the TEF Canada, they need to achieve the following scores, or higher, in each section of the test to be eligible. If any one section of the test is lower than what is listed below, you would not qualify under the Federal Skilled Trades Program:
TCF Canada
For those applicants who have chosen to write the TCF Canada, they need to achieve the following scores, or higher, in each section of the test to be eligible. If any one section of the test is lower than what is listed below, you would not qualify as a Federal Skilled Worker:
Canadian Experience Class Language Requirements
Those applying under the Canadian Experience Class are required to write an approved language test to show that they achieved a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC ) level 7 or higher in each section of their approved language test if their work experience is in a NOC TEER 0 or 1 level job, or Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC ) level 5 or higher in each section of their approved language test if their work experience is in a NOC TEER 2 or 3 level job.
General Training IELTS
For those applicants who have chosen to write the General Training IELTS, they need to achieve the following scores, or higher, in each section of the test to be eligible. If any one section of the test is lower than what is listed below, you would not qualify under the Canadian Experience Class:
General Training IELTS NOC TEER 0 or 1 jobs
General Training IELTS NOC TEER 2 or 3 jobs
PTE Core
For those applicants who have chosen to write the PTE Core language test, they need to achieve the following scores, or higher, in each section of the test to be eligible. If any one section of the test is lower than what is listed below, you would not qualify under the Canadian Experience Class program:
PTE Core - NOC TEER 0 or 1 jobs
PTE Core - NOC TEER 2 or 3 jobs
CELPIP General
For those applicants who have chosen to write the CELPIP General, they need to achieve the following scores, or higher, in each section of the test to be eligible. If any one section of the test is lower than what is listed below, you would not qualify under the Canadian Experience Class:
CELPIP General - NOC TEER 0 or A jobs
CELPIP General - NOC TEER 2 or 3 jobs
TEF Canada
For those applicants who have chosen to write the TEF Canada, they need to achieve the following scores, or higher, in each section of the test to be eligible. If any one section of the test is lower than what is listed below, you would not qualify under the Canadian Experience Class:
TEF Canada - NOC TEER 0 or 1 jobs
TEF Canada - NOC TEER 2 or 3 jobs
TCF Canada
For those applicants who have chosen to write the TCF Canada, they need to achieve the following scores, or higher, in each section of the test to be eligible. If any one section of the test is lower than what is listed below, you would not qualify under the Canadian Experience Class:
TCF Canada - NOC TEER 0 and 1 jobs
TCF Canada - NOC TEER 2 or 3 jobs
