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Canada PR Language Requirements: English and French Tests Explained
For Canada PR through Express Entry, you need an IRCC-approved language test less than 2 years old. English: IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General or PTE Core. French: TEF Canada or TCF Canada. Scores convert to CLB (English) or NCLC (French) levels for each skill, and those levels decide eligibility and part of your CRS points.
PrepEve provides language coaching, not immigration advice. For your own case, check the official page or speak to a licensed adviser.
- English tests
- IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core
- French tests
- TEF Canada, TCF Canada
- Validity
- Results must be less than 2 years old
- Scale
- CLB for English, NCLC for French — each skill separately
- French bonus
- Up to 50 extra CRS points with NCLC 7+ in all four French skills
Which language tests are approved for Canada PR?
According to IRCC, Express Entry accepts three English tests and two French tests. Any other test, or another version of the same brand, does not count.
| Language | Approved test | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| English | IELTS General Training | IELTS Academic is not accepted |
| English | CELPIP-General | CELPIP-General LS is not enough for Express Entry |
| English | PTE Core | PTE Academic is not accepted |
| French | TEF Canada | Take all four skills |
| French | TCF Canada | Take all four skills |
Your results must be less than 2 years old when you create your Express Entry profile and on the day you submit your PR application. Plan your test date with this in mind.
How do test scores convert to CLB and NCLC?
IRCC does not use your raw test scores. It converts each skill to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level for English, or a Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level for French. Program rules and CRS points are written in CLB/NCLC.
Each test has its own conversion table. CELPIP levels match CLB levels one-to-one: CELPIP 7 in a skill is CLB 7 in that skill. IELTS and PTE Core use different score scales, so they need a table. For PTE Core, TEF Canada and TCF Canada, use the official IRCC test equivalency charts; we don't repeat those numbers here because IRCC updates them.
What IELTS score do I need for Canada PR?
It depends on the CLB level your program needs and the CRS points you want. The table shows the minimum IELTS General Training band per skill for each CLB level.
IELTS General Training to CLB
| CLB level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| CLB 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| CLB 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| CLB 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| CLB 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| CLB 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| CLB 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
IRCC can update these levels, so check the current language test equivalency chart on canada.ca before you apply.
Many people search for "IELTS for Express Entry" and expect one pass mark. There isn't one. Each program sets a minimum CLB, and higher CLB levels add CRS points. For example, Federal Skilled Worker needs at least CLB 7 in all four skills. Try your own bands in the IELTS band calculator with the "Canada PR" option switched on. For the difference between the two IELTS versions, read IELTS General vs Academic for Canada PR.
Why does each skill count separately?
Because IRCC converts Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking to CLB one at a time. Your overall band is not used.
Example: Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 6.5, Speaking 7.0 gives CLB 9, 9, 8 and 9. Writing holds you below CLB 9 in all four skills. One weak skill can cost CRS points or even eligibility, so find your weakest skill first.
What is a first and second official language?
Canada has two official languages, English and French. In Express Entry, the language you score higher in is usually your first official language. The other can count as your second official language if you take an approved test in it.
Most points come from the first official language. A strong second language can add more. See the CRS criteria on canada.ca for the exact points.
How many extra points does French give?
According to IRCC, NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills gives up to 50 additional CRS points:
- 50 points if your English is CLB 5 or higher in all four skills.
- 25 points if your English is CLB 4 or lower (or you have no English test).
This is on top of points for your second official language. Read French for Canada PR and TEF vs TCF to pick a French test.
What IELTS score do I need for a PNP?
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) set their own language minimums. They vary by province and by stream, and they change. Check the province's official program page, and the IRCC Provincial Nominee Program page, before you book a test. If a PNP stream is linked to Express Entry, the Express Entry test rules above also apply.
Should I take IELTS, CELPIP or PTE Core?
All three give CLB levels IRCC accepts. Choose the one where you will score highest in your weakest skill.
- Choose IELTS General Training if you prefer speaking face to face with an examiner, you write well by hand or on paper-style tasks, or you already know the format.
- Choose CELPIP-General if you are comfortable with North American English, like a fully computer-based test, and want scores that read directly as CLB levels.
- Choose PTE Core if you type quickly, are comfortable speaking into a microphone, and prefer computer-scored tasks.
Compare them in detail: CELPIP vs IELTS and PTE vs IELTS.
Why students choose PrepEve for Canada PR language tests
Booking the right test is step one. Reaching the right CLB or NCLC in every skill is the hard part. PrepEve is online coaching, based in India and Canada, built for that:
The PrepEve Method: 01 Assess · 02 Diagnose · 03 Train · 04 Correct · 05 Repeat → exam ready. We find exactly why you're losing marks — in IELTS or PTE — and train you until those weaknesses are fixed.
- A founder who knows the Canadian system. Sanjita, our founder and trainer, is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, so we coach to the CLB you need in each skill. PrepEve provides language coaching, not immigration advice.
- IELTS, CELPIP and PTE coaching. Whichever test you choose, the same trainers coach it.
- French for Canada PR. Live online classes toward NCLC 7, with TEF Canada and TCF Canada preparation. 6,000+ students taught French.
- One team, many tests. The same trainers — Sanjita, Lesancy Sharma and Khushpreet — coach IELTS (Academic and General Training), PTE, CELPIP, TOEFL and the Duolingo English Test.
- Trainer correction, not generic lessons. IELTS Live Coaching starts by finding where you lose marks; a trainer then tells you exactly what to change and you practise until the mistake is gone.
- Trainer-marked writing and 1-on-1 speaking mocks. Writing and Speaking are where most target scores are missed; both get human feedback.
- Proof, not promises. 15,000+ students trained and 4.7★ on Google from 300+ reviews.
Taranjeet, preparing for Canada PR, went from an overall 6.5 to 8.5 in IELTS. Results vary with each learner's starting point and effort.
Frequently asked questions
Which English tests are accepted for Canada PR?
What IELTS score do I need for Express Entry?
How long is my language test valid for Canada PR?
Is CELPIP the same as CLB?
How much does French add to my CRS score?
What IELTS score do I need for a PNP?
Does PrepEve give immigration advice?
Find out which skill is holding your CLB back
Book a free PrepEve assessment class. A trainer runs a live mini-class, finds where you are losing marks and gives you a study plan to keep. Want French points too? Book a free French class.