TOEFL vs IELTS: Which Test Should You Choose for Canada?

IELTS and TOEFL have long been accepted by test takers as proof of English language proficiency. When it comes to immigration, however, it is important to find out which test is authorized or accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

This blog explains what TOEFL and IELTS are, how they differ from each other, where they are recognized and accepted, and what you should choose depending on whether you want to study, work, or immigrate to Canada.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a standardized test measuring the English language ability of non-native speakers. It measures reading, listening, writing, and speaking skills.

IELTS is a secure English-language test accepted by more than 12,500 organizations worldwide, including educational institutions, employers, government and professional bodies. IELTS also assesses English-language proficiency across four components: listening, reading, writing, and speaking, in either an academic or higher-education setting or a practical, everyday setting.

Test takers need to take the TOEFL, IELTS Academic, or IELTS General Training, depending on their intent.

Here are a few things to consider while trying to decide if TOEFL or IELTS is the right test for you in Canada:

The question of whether one test is easier than another depends upon several factors, starting with individual preferences. Some test takers prefer engaging with computers alone, for example, while others find the presence of a human examiner more reassuring. Some prefer multiple-choice questions for one component, while others may prefer more varied questions that don’t rely on a single answer.

It is important to understand the pros and cons of each test, in relation to what your individual strengths are, because this will allow you to choose what is right for you. Think about the format, structure, and whether a test is accepted by a university or government before making your decision.

The Canadian government does not yet accept TOEFL for immigration, but it may in the future. IELTS is accepted worldwide, and IELTS General Training is one of the language tests approved by the IRCC.

Note: IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted for Express Entry.

IELTS and TOEFL may look the same, but when it comes to migration, the fact that IELTS is accepted for migration across the world makes it the clear choice for test takers.

IELTS Academic and TOEFL iBT are both widely accepted by Canadian universities for student visas.

If you choose to apply for permanent residency in Canada after you graduate from your program, it is important to remember that IELTS is one of the tests approved by the IRCC for immigration, while TOEFL has yet to be accepted. This may be something to consider while choosing a test.

Another factor to consider is the score required by an educational institution to prove language proficiency. You should check with the institution of your choice to find out what the required TOEFL score is and compare it with the required IELTS score.

The minimum TOEFL iBT scores for Canadian universities range from 80 to 100+ for undergraduate studies and 90 to 100+ for graduate programs. For IELTS, the minimum requirements range from an overall 6.0 to 7.0 for undergraduate programs, and 6.5 to 7.5 for postgraduate programs.

For example, at the University of Toronto, the minimum requirement for TOEFL tests taken before January 21, 2026, is a total score of 89 with 22 in each of Speaking and Writing. The requirements for applicants who took the test on or after January 21, 2026, are an overall score of 4.5 with 4.5 in Writing and 4.0 in Speaking. The minimum requirement for those using IELTS Academic is an overall band of 6.5, with no band below 6.0.

What is the minimum IELTS score required for a Canadian study visa?

The minimum IELTS Academic score for a Canadian study visa is an overall score of 6.0, with no individual band score below 5.5, for undergraduate programs. For postgraduate courses, a minimum overall score of 6.5 is usually required, with no band below 6.0. It is important to always check with the official website of your university of choice, as these minimum scores may change. They also fluctuate depending on the program you are applying to.

Here are a few examples of the minimum IELTS score required by some of Canada’s most renowned universities:

IELTS Academic and TOEFL iBT are both accepted by Canadian universities. Both are also accepted globally, but while IELTS is accepted for immigration to Canada, TOEFL is not. Test takers should make their choice based on format, specific university requirements, as well as future study or immigration plans in Canada.

Here are some of the differences between the TOEFL and IELTS that come across when one looks at each of the four components being evaluated to test language proficiency.

Listening Section Differences

TOEFL iBT

The TOEFL iBT Listening section tests one’s ability to understand conversations and lectures that are typical of academic interactions on a college campus. It takes approximately 36 minutes to complete. Test takers will hear two conversations and three lectures before answering 5–6 questions after each.

IELTS

The IELTS Listening component is 30 minutes long and features a variety of international accents. Test takers must listen to recordings and answer multiple-choice questions. This component has four parts, with 10 questions in each. The questions are in the same order as the information in the recording. Parts 1 and 2 deal with everyday social situations, while parts 3 and 4 deal with educational and training situations.

Reading Section Differences

TOEFL iBT

The TOEFL Reading Section tests the ability to understand reading passages like those in college textbooks. Test takers will read two passages and answer 10 questions after each passage. You have 35 minutes to read both passages and answer the questions.

IELTS

IELTS test takers have 60 minutes to complete the IELTS Reading component, which consists of three reading passages or texts. These texts are taken from academic sources like textbooks, journals, or articles for the IELTS Academic. In the IELTS General Training test, the texts are more everyday and practical, such as advertisements, notices, or workplace-related documents.

Writing Task Comparison

TOEFL iBT

The TOEFL iBT Writing section measures one’s ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written English. The tasks reflect the kinds of writing you may do as a student. The section uses focused, practical writing tasks to measure how well test takers organize ideas, use grammar and vocabulary accurately, and write for a specific purpose. You have approximately 29 minutes to complete the section.

IELTS

IELTS test takers have 60 minutes to complete two tasks for the Writing component. In the General Training version, Task 1 requires writing a letter, often based on a given situation, while Task 2 involves writing an essay on a general topic. Preparing typically involves practicing writing essays and descriptions, understanding the format and expectations of each task, and improving your grammar and vocabulary.

Speaking Test Format

TOEFL iBT

The TOEFL iBT Speaking section measures one’s ability to communicate clearly and effectively in spoken English. The tasks reflect the kinds of speaking you may do as a student, in academic and campus life settings. This computer-based section takes 16 minutes to complete.

IELTS

The IELTS Speaking component is the same for both General Training and Academic and assesses your use of spoken English. All speaking tests are conducted face-to-face with a certified IELTS examiner and are recorded in case they need to be reviewed.

The TOEFL iBT Test Registration Fee is USD $249 (approximately CAD $340). This excludes VAT or other applicable taxes.

The cost of an IELTS test in Canada ranges between CAD $322 and $352 before tax and is the same whether you take IELTS General Training or IELTS Academic. There is no separate registration fee or payment processing fee. There is also no late payment fee. In some locations, the test fee may be slightly higher.

The TOEFL iBT test is currently available at 24 authorized test centers across Canada, with multiple test dates.

IELTS tests can be booked at 180+ test centres in 50+ cities across Canada. Whether you need to take the IELTS Academic for higher education or the IELTS General Training for migration, you can easily find a test centre nearest to you. Choose a test date at least 2 to 3 months before your earliest application deadline to ensure your scores are ready in time.

TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test date and are globally accepted by over 13,000 institutions in 160+ countries.

IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. The test is globally recognized by over 12,500 organizations, including universities, employers, and immigration bodies in Canada.

TOEFL and IELTS are both accepted by universities across Canada as proof of English language proficiency. However, for immigration purposes, IELTS General Training is one of the options accepted by the IRCC. It does not accept TOEFL as a language test yet.

IELTS is widely preferred in Canada because it is officially recognized by the IRCC as well as by all Canadian colleges and universities. More than 12,000 organizations in over 150 countries recognize IELTS as a true indicator of English-language skills — from universities to training institutions, government departments and immigration agencies, and professional and industrial organizations.

Another reason IELTS is preferred is that many students prefer engaging with human beings. Unlike tests conducted solely on a computer or scored using AI, IELTS offers a face-to-face speaking test with a certified human examiner. Many test takers find it easier to engage in real-world communication with another person.

IELTS also offers test takers the option of One Skill Retake, allowing them to retake any one component of the test: Writing, Reading, Listening, or Speaking, without redoing all four sections. The test scores are also aligned with the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB).