What IELTS Score Do You Need to Immigrate to Canada? Revealing the Exact Score

The question of how much IELTS is required for Canadian immigration is of great interest to many people. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is one of the mandatory requirements if you want to participate in labor immigration programs in Canada. The required IELTS score also varies depending on the type of program and the requirements of the immigration authority. For some immigration programs, such as the Express Entry program, applicants need to achieve at least a medium or high IELTS score. In the following article, ImmiPath will reveal the IELTS score you need to meet when you want to participate in Canadian immigration programs, helping you prepare and study effectively to successfully meet the program’s requirements. See it now!

1. How much IELTS is required for Canadian immigration?

IELTS is one of the five language tests recognized by the Canadian government for immigration purposes. Other programs include the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP), Pearson Test of English (PTE) Core, Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada), and Test d’Évaluation du Français (TEF). TCF and TEF are only used to assess French language proficiency. The results of each test are scored according to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels, ranging from 1 to 10. This allows individuals taking different tests, sometimes in different languages, to be compared and ranked fairly.

For immigration to Canada, the IELTS score requirements depend on the type of program you want to participate in. Here are some specific IELTS requirements for each type of program:

1.1 Employment-Based Programs

• Federal Skilled Worker Program: Requires an IELTS score of 6.0.
• Federal Skilled Trade Program: Requires a minimum of 4.5 in IELTS; 4.0 for reading and writing, and 5.0 for listening and speaking.
• Canadian Experience Class: For jobs in NOC categories O and A, an IELTS score of 7.0 is required; for NOC B, a score of 5.0 or higher is needed.
• OINP (Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program): Does not require an IELTS score.
• AIP (Atlantic Immigration Program): Requires a minimum IELTS score of 4.0.

1.2 Investment-Based Programs

Each investment immigration program has different IELTS requirements, typically ranging from a minimum of 4.0 points. For investment immigration to Canada, applicants need to meet the English language proficiency requirement of IELTS General. Each Canadian immigration program for investors will have specific IELTS score requirements, usually starting from 4.0 points. Specifically, the IELTS requirements for entrepreneur immigration programs in different provinces are as follows:

• New Brunswick Entrepreneur Program: Requires a General IELTS score of 5.0.
• Ontario Entrepreneur Program: Requires a General IELTS score of 4.0. This is mandatory if the applicant wishes to become a permanent resident after residing in Canada for 20 months.
• British Columbia (BC) Entrepreneur Program: Requires a General IELTS score of 4.0.
• Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Program: Requires a minimum of 4.0 in IELTS.
• Prince Edward Island (PEI) Entrepreneur Program: Requires a General IELTS score of 4.0.
• Manitoba Entrepreneur Program: Requires a General IELTS score of 5.0.
• Start-Up Visa Program: Requires a General IELTS score of 5.0. This is also mandatory as you will need to complete a 40-hour government-sponsored start-up training program, which is taught in English.

Applicants should be aware of these requirements and ensure they achieve the appropriate IELTS scores before applying for the immigration program. In summary, the required IELTS score will vary depending on the type of immigration program and the specific requirements of each province or program. This should be carefully considered before you decide to participate in the immigration process to Canada.

2. How IELTS Scores Convert for Canadian Immigration

ImmiPath invites you to view the IELTS conversion table for Canadian immigration to clear up any questions about how much IELTS is required for immigration to Canada.

CLB	Speaking IELTS	Reading IELTS	Writing IELTS	Listening IELTS
1	1	1	1	1
2	2	1.5	2	2
3	3	2.5	3	3.5
4	4	3.5	4	4.5
5	4	4	4	5
6	5.5	5	5.5	5.5
7	6	6	6	6
8	6.5	6.5	6.5	7
9	7	7	7	8
10	7.5	8	7.5	8.5
11	8	8.9	8	9
12	9	9	9	9

3. Frequently Asked Questions About IELTS Requirements for Canadian Immigration

3.1. Is IELTS mandatory for PR in Canada?

In short, no, IELTS is not mandatory for obtaining PR in Canada. Consider the  2 following points: Language Testing is just one step in the PR process for economic immigration applicants, such as those applying through Express Entry. According to Canada’s immigration plan for 2021 to 2023, the majority of immigrants come through economic immigration programs. However, hundreds of thousands of immigrants are accepted through Family Class programs or as refugees, and these immigrants are not required to submit language test results to obtain Canadian immigration status. Even for economic immigration applicants who are required to take a language test, there are alternative language testing options available. For those who want to test their English proficiency, CELPIP or PTE Core can be alternatives, and for those who prefer to test their French proficiency, TEF and TCF are available options in addition to or instead of IELTS or CELPIP.

3.2. Which language tests are mandatory for Canada PR?

Economic immigration applicants to Canada can submit language test results from IELTS, PTE, or CELPIP to prove their English proficiency, or results from TEF or TCF to demonstrate their French proficiency.

3.3. What is the minimum IELTS score required for PR in Canada?

To qualify for the Express Entry pool, you need to show language test results equivalent to or higher than Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 if applying as a Federal Skilled Worker. CLB 7 corresponds to an IELTS score of 6.0 in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. If applying as a candidate under the Canadian Experience Class in NOC 0 or A occupations, you will need at least an IELTS score of 6.0. However, if your occupation is in NOC B skill levels, you can qualify with IELTS scores of 5.0 in speaking, writing, and listening, and 4.0 in reading. The threshold is lower for Federal Skilled Trades applicants, who can qualify with an IELTS score of 4.0 in writing and speaking, 3.5 in reading, and 4.5 in listening, all equivalent to CLB level 4.

See more: Check out the best IELTS courses

3.4. What is a good IELTS score for Canadian immigration?

This can vary, but an important threshold in the CRS Express Entry is that your score can significantly improve if you achieve IELTS results equivalent to or higher than CLB 9. This means achieving an IELTS score of 7.0 or higher in reading, writing, and speaking, and 8.0 or higher in listening. Achieving CLB 9 in each skill also helps increase your score for factors such as skill transferability, combined with your education and work experience outside Canada.

3.5. Should I take the General or Academic IELTS?

This depends on what you are applying for. Most immigration programs only accept the General IELTS test. However, if you are coming to Canada as a student, the Academic version of IELTS will be accepted. Now, you should have a clear understanding of how much IELTS is required for Canadian immigration. If you have any further questions about IELTS for Canadian immigration, feel free to comment directly below the article, and the ImmiPath team will be happy to assist you.