On This Page You Will Find
- Which language tests are approved for Canada immigration
- CLB/NCLC score conversions for CELPIP, IELTS, and TEF Canada
- Language score requirements by immigration program (FSWP, FSTP, CEC)
- Language requirements for Canadian citizenship
- How to use expired test results for immigration or citizenship
- Accepted French-language tests for Quebec
Canada Immigration Language Levels
Applicants applying for Permanent Residence to Canada and for Canadian Citizenship, are required to prove language skills by taking a language test approved by Canada immigration authority – Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Permanent Residence
There are two English language tests offered by third parties that are recognized by Canadian authorities: CELPIP and IELTS.
There is only one French language test recognized by Canadian authorities: TEF Canada.
Points are awarded for language abilities when applying for permanent residence, under the Express Entry system or under provincial programs. The scores required depend on the different programs under which a candidate is applying.
To measure the language levels, the immigration authorities use the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) for English and the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) for French.
Below you will find charts which convert scores received under third party language examinations into the corresponding language level.
Federal Skilled Worker Program
You must obtain a minimum level of CLB or NCLC 7 for your first official language in all four language areas. To receive points for your second official language, you must meet the minimum level of CLB or NCLC 5 in all four language areas.
CELPIP – General Test
First official language (24 points maximum)
| CLB level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | Points per ability |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 |
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
| 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
| 10 + | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 6 |
Second official language (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in all four language abilities)
| CLB level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | Total points |
| 5 + | 5-12 | 5-12 | 5-12 | 5-12 | 4 |
IELTS General Training
First official language (24 points maximum)
| CLB level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | Points per ability |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0-7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 4 |
| 8 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 5 |
| 9 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6 |
| 10 + | 7.5-9.0 | 8.5-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 | 6 |
Second official language (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in all four language abilities)
| CLB level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | Total points |
| 5 + | 5.0 + | 5.0 + | 4.0 + | 5.0 + | 4 |
TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français)
First official language (24 points maximum)
| NCLC level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | Points per ability |
| 7 | 310-348 | 249-279 | 207-232 | 310-348 | 4 |
| 8 | 349-370 | 280-297 | 233-247 | 349-370 | 5 |
| 9 + | 371 + | 398 + | 348 + | 371 + | 6 |
Second official language (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in all four language abilities)
| NCLC level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | Total points |
| 5 + | 226 + | 181 + | 151 + | 226 + | 4 |
Federal Skilled Trades Program
You must obtain a minimum level of:
- CLB or NCLC 5 in speaking and listening abilities, and
- CLB or NCLC 4 in reading and writing abilities.
CELPIP General Test
| CLB level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 5 + | 5 + | 5 + | 5 + | 5 + |
IELTS General Training
| CLB level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
| 4 | 4.0-4.5 | 4.4 | 3.5 | 40.-4.5 |
| 5 + | 5.0 + | 5.0 + | 4.0 + | 5.0 + |
TEF Canada
| NCLC level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
| 4 | 181-225 | 145-180 | 121-150 | 181-225 |
| 5 + | 226 + | 181 + | 151 + | 226 + |
Canadian Experience Class
The skills you need for this program will depend on the job classification under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC):
- NOC 0 or A: CLB / NCLC 7 +
- NOC B: CLB / NCLC 5 and 6
CELPIP General Test
| NOC | CLB level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
| B | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| B | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 0 & A | 7 + | 7 + | 7 + | 7 + | 7 + |
IELTS General Training
| NOC | CLB level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
| B | 5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.0-4.5 | 5.0 |
| B | 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.0-5.5 | 5.5 |
| 0 & A | 7 + | 6.0 + | 6.0 + | 6.0 + | 6.0 + |
TEF Canada
| NOC | NCLC level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
| B | 5 | 226-270 | 181-216 | 151-180 | 226-270 |
| B | 6 | 271-309 | 217-248 | 181-206 | 271-309 |
| 0 & A | 7 + | 310+ | 249+ | 207+ | 310+ |
Canadian Citizenship
All applicants for Canadian citizenship aged 18-54 must submit proof that they have adequate knowledge of English or French.
If you decide to submit a third-party language test, the results must be equal to CLB / NCLC level 4 or higher in speaking and listening abilities.
The federal authorities also accept expired test results if they were done for immigration or citizenship purposes.
Accepted third-party tests include:
CELPIP General Test AND CELPIP General LS Test
- if you took the test after April 1st 2014, you must have a score of level 4 or higher in listening and speaking.
- If you took the test before April 1st 2014, you must have a score of 2H or higher in listening and speaking.
IELTS General Training
- 4.0 or higher in speaking and 4.5 or higher in listening.
- If the test was done before November 28th 2008, a level 4 or higher in listening is accepted
TEF, TEFAQ (Test d’Évaluation du Français adapté au Québec) or TEF pour la naturalisation
- If taken after July 1st 2012, your score must be Niveau B1 or higher in Compréhension de l’oral and Expression orale;
- If taken before July 1st 2012, your score must be Niveau 3 or higher in Compréhension de l’oral and Expression orale.
- Note: if you took the TEF test before July 1st, 2012, you need a level 3 for expression orale only. This applies only to the TEF and not the TEFAQ or TEF pour la naturalisation.
The following tests are also accepted if they were submitted in the past for immigration purposes to Quebec (note: these tests align with the échelle québécoise and not officially with CLB/NCLC 4):
- Diplôme approfondi de langue française (DALF) – All test results
- Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF) – Level B1 or higher
- Test de connaissance du français (TCF) – Niveau B1 or higher
- Test de connaissance du français pour le Québec (TCFQ) – Niveau B1 or higher
Frequently Asked Questions
Which English and French tests are accepted for Canadian immigration?
IRCC accepts CELPIP and IELTS for English, and TEF Canada for French. These tests must be taken in their approved formats and meet the required language level for each program.
What is the minimum language score for Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Worker Program?
You need a minimum CLB or NCLC 7 in all four abilities for your first official language. For the second official language, CLB/NCLC 5 in all four areas is required to gain points.
Can I use expired language test results for Canadian citizenship?
Yes. IRCC accepts expired test results for citizenship purposes if the test was previously used for immigration or citizenship applications. Minimum scores still apply.
How do I convert IELTS or CELPIP scores to CLB levels?
Use IRCC’s official conversion tables. For example, an IELTS score of 6.0 in all four sections equals CLB 7. A CELPIP score of 7 in each ability also equals CLB 7.
Are language requirements different for Canadian Experience Class (CEC)?
Yes. The required CLB/NCLC level depends on the NOC category. For NOC 0 or A, you need CLB 7 or higher. For NOC B, CLB 5 or 6 may be sufficient depending on the program.
