Minimum Language Requirement for Express Entry Categories: CEC, FSW, FST

Language Testing—Skilled Immigrants (Express Entry)

You must prove your language skills by taking an approved language test. To do this:

You must:

• schedule your test with an agency approved by IRCC and pay the costs
• enter the test results into your Express Entry profile (and the Personal Information Number, if the system asks for it)
• include the results with your application if you are invited to apply. If you don’t include it, we will not process your application.

Don’t ask for your language test results to be sent directly to us. Send us your results with your complete application. Keep your original test in a safe place as we may ask for it later.

Language tests we accept

You can take any of these approved language tests:

• English
  • CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
    • you must take the CELPIP-General test
    • we don’t accept the General-LS test for Express Entry
  • IELTS: International English Language Testing System
    • you must take the General Training option
    • we don’t accept the Academic option for Express Entry
• French
  • TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français, including:
    • compréhension de l’écrit
    • compréhension de l’oral
    • expression écrite
    • expression orale
  • TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français, including:
    • compréhension de l’écrit
    • compréhension de l’oral
    • expression écrite
    • expression orale

What happens next

See what language level you have based on your test results in:

• Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)
• Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC)

We will use the test results as proof of your language skills.

Your test results must be valid (less than two years old) when you:

• complete your Express Entry profile
• apply for permanent residence

The Express Entry profile is valid for 12 months. Make sure that your language test results are valid for the same time period.

If your test results expire soon, you should re-take the test and update your Express Entry profile with your new test results.

Averaging your language score: for people with a physical or mental disability

If you aren’t able to complete one or more sections of your language test because of a disability, you must:

• use the Comprehensive Ranking System – Language calculator tool to find out your score for the abilities you were unable to complete
• input averaged scores based on those you completed

The Comprehensive Ranking System – Language calculator isn’t the same as the Comprehensive Ranking System tool.

Federal Skilled Worker Program

CELPIP-G

First official language (Maximum 24 points)

CLB Level	Ability: Speaking	Ability: Listening	Ability: Reading	Ability: Writing	Points per ability
7 CELPIP-G	7	7	7	7	4
8 CELPIP-G	8	8	8	8	5
9 CELPIP-G	9	9	9	9	6
10 and above CELPIP-G	10+	10+	10+	10+	6

Second official language (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in all four language abilities)

CLB Level	Ability: Speaking	Ability: Listening	Ability: Reading	Ability: Writing	Points (total)
5 and above	5 – 12	5 – 12	5 – 12	5 – 12	4

IELTS

First official language (Maximum 24 points)

CLB Level	Ability: Speaking	Ability: Listening	Ability: Reading	Ability: 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 and above	7.5 – 9.0	8.5 – 9.0	8.0 – 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	Ability: Speaking	Ability: Listening	Ability: Reading	Ability: Writing	Points (total)
5 and above	5.0 – 9.0	5.0 – 9.0	4.0 – 9.0	5.0 – 9.0	4