Migrate to Canada

If you wish to study in Canada, then IELTS is the test of choice. IELTS is accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as evidence of English language proficiency. 

IELTS for Canada

IELTS is the most trusted international English language test for migration to Canada. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) trusts IELTS for all visas that require you to provide proof of English language proficiency. IELTS is the world’s most popular test of English.  

Access your study tips 

IELTS English test for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

If you make a visa application to stay in or move to Canada, you need to be aware of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requirements for English language tests.  

So, when you apply for a work visa, professional recognition or for permanent residency in Canada, it is likely that you will be required to present evidence of English language proficiency. IELTS General Training is the only internationally available English proficiency test accepted by IRCC for immigration to Canada.  

The IELTS test you take – and the score you need – will depend on both your visa requirements and/or the requirements of the institution or organisation where you plan to study or work. 

Book IELTS for migration to Canada 

IELTS for studying in Canada

If you intend to study in Canada, it’s likely you need to provide evidence of your language competency. Schools and universities in Canada trust IELTS Academic as evidence of your English language proficiency.  

Book IELTS for studying in Canada 

Post-graduation work permit

If you are an international student who has graduated from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI), you can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP). The PGWP is an open work permit that allows you to work anywhere in Canada.

To be eligible for PGWP, you must: 

• be a foreign national

• be at least 18 years old

• have studied full-time in Canada in a program of at least 8 months. The study program must have been completed at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and at a specific level.

• apply within 180 days of the completion of your study program

While you don’t need to prove your language proficiency for the PGWP, it is required for applying to one of Canada’s permanent residency programs. Proving your language proficiency is an important step in this process and the better you do in your IELTS test, the more CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) points you can accumulate towards your Permanent Residency application.

The PGWP is an important document that will allow you to work and live in Canada after graduation. If you are planning on staying in Canada after your studies, it’s important to start preparing for the IELTS test now. This will ensure that you have everything ready when the time comes to apply for permanent residency. 

Note: Work obtained through the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program may help support your application to become a permanent resident of Canada. 

Find out the full details about PGWP eligibility. 

Which English language test do you need for migration to Canada?

The available language tests for Canadian Immigration are IELTS, CELPIP and TEF. Almost every category of economic immigration to Canada requires you to submit the results of a language test. What test you need, and what score you require depends on the program you apply for.  

What is the difference between IELTS, CELPIP and TEF?

You have to provide language test results from a recognised test provider. IRCC trusts and recognises two test providers in English: IELTS and CELPIP. There is also an option if you need (or want) to take your language test in French. In that case, you should do the TEF: Test d’évaluation de français. Regardless of the test, all three tests give you a score for each of the four language abilities: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.  

What is the minimum IELTS score for Canada’s Permanent Residency (PR)?

There are three different Express Entry pathways for one to get Permanent Residency (PR) status in Canada:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program

• Federal Skilled Trades Program

• Canadian Experience Class

As it takes 6 months for IRCC to process your application, you should ensure that your IELTS test results are valid for the entire duration.

For permanent residency through Express Entry, a minimum language proficiency of CLB 7 (the Canadian Language Benchmarks), or a minimum of 6.0 for each section of the IELTS test, is required.

For each program, there are different language proficiency requirements. Your language skills are assessed through 4 subcategories- Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The points you earn are awarded according to CLB Level (Canadian Language Benchmark).

Federal Skilled Worker Program

For those with English as an official language: 

If you get CLB 4 or lower, no points are awarded. If you get CLB 10 or higher, you will gain the maximum number of points, which is 34 or 32 (if you are married).

CLB Level and IELTS Scores 

If English is your second language, you get 4 points in total if you meet the following per-section requirements.

Federal Skilled Trades Program

Here are the per-section score requirements for each CLB Level.

Canadian Experience Class 

For National Occupation Classification (NOC) A jobs, the minimum language requirement is CLB 7. For NOC B jobs, the requirement is CLB 5. 

Here are the CLB levels that correspond to per-section IELTS scores.

Apart from language proficiency, you will be assessed by other criteria such as level of education, age and work experience.  

What is the required IELTS score for a Canadian work permit?

To work in Canada, IELTS score requirements may differ in both the overall band score as well as each band score. For example, to be a lawyer, a minimum score of 7.0 in each section of the IELTS is required. To be a nurse, you need a minimum overall score of 6.5 and 7.0 for Speaking. 

IELTS is available internationally and recognised globally. So if you are thinking about studying or moving to Canada, make sure you book your IELTS test.