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CLB 6 and CLB 5 IELTS Score: What They Mean for Canada PR
CLB 6 in IELTS General Training means at least 5.5 in Listening, Writing and Speaking and 5.0 in Reading. CLB 5 means 5.0 in Listening, Writing and Speaking and 4.0 in Reading. Neither is enough for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, which needs CLB 7, but CLB 5 meets the Canadian Experience Class minimum for TEER 2 or 3 jobs and the Federal Skilled Trades minimum for Listening and Speaking.
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- CLB 6 in IELTS GT
- L 5.5, R 5.0, W 5.5, S 5.5
- CLB 5 in IELTS GT
- L 5.0, R 4.0, W 5.0, S 5.0
- CRS points per skill
- CLB 6: 9 (8 with a spouse); CLB 5: 6
- Enough for FSW?
- No, FSW needs CLB 7
- Where CLB 5 counts
- CEC (TEER 2 or 3), FST, PGWP for college graduates, the full French bonus
What is CLB 5 and CLB 6 in IELTS?
| CLB level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Reading needs a lower band than the other skills at these levels: 4.0 is CLB 5 and 5.0 is CLB 6. Each skill is converted on its own, so your CLB can differ from skill to skill.
Where CLB 5 and CLB 6 are enough
| Program or use | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class, TEER 2 or 3 jobs | CLB 5 in all four skills |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | CLB 5 in Listening and Speaking; CLB 4 in Reading and Writing |
| PGWP for college graduates | CLB 5 in all four skills |
| Full 50-point French bonus in the CRS | English at CLB 5 or higher in all four skills |
| Canadian citizenship (ages 18 to 54) | CLB 4 in Speaking and Listening |
Provincial streams set their own minimums, and some accept CLB 4 or 5. Check the stream you are interested in.
Where they are not enough
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program needs CLB 7 in every skill.
- The Canadian Experience Class for TEER 0 or 1 jobs needs CLB 7.
- A PGWP for university graduates needs CLB 7.
CRS points at CLB 5 and CLB 6
| CLB in each skill | Single | With spouse |
|---|---|---|
| CLB 4 or 5 | 6 | 6 |
| CLB 6 | 9 | 8 |
| CLB 7 | 17 | 16 |
| CLB 8 | 23 | 22 |
The biggest jump is from CLB 6 to CLB 7: 8 more points per skill for a single applicant, or 32 across all four. CLB 7 is also where skill transferability points for language begin, which can add up to 50 more.
How to move from CLB 6 to CLB 7
CLB 7 needs 6.0 in every skill. From CLB 6, the gap is half a band in Listening, Writing and Speaking, and a full band in Reading, where 6.0 in General Training needs about 30 or 31 correct answers out of 40. Timed practice helps most in Reading and Listening. Writing and Speaking move when someone marks your answers against the band descriptors and shows you what to change.
CLB 5 and 6 for your spouse
If your spouse or partner comes with you, their English adds CRS points too: 1 point per skill at CLB 5 or 6, 3 at CLB 7 or 8, and 5 at CLB 9 or higher. In the FSW grid, a spouse with CLB 4 or higher in all four skills adds 5 adaptability points.
CLB 5 and 6 in CELPIP
CELPIP-General levels match CLB levels directly: a CELPIP score of 5 in each skill is CLB 5, and 6 is CLB 6.
Official sources
- Express Entry: language test results (IRCC)
- Comprehensive Ranking System criteria (IRCC)
- Post-graduation work permit: who can apply (IRCC)
- Language test equivalency charts (IRCC)
Frequently asked questions
What is CLB 6 in IELTS?
What is CLB 5 in IELTS?
Can I get Canada PR with CLB 6?
Is IELTS 6 in each skill CLB 7?
What CLB do I need for Canadian citizenship?
What is CLB 6 in CELPIP?
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