Key facts
- Abilities tested
- Listening, reading, writing, speaking
- English tests accepted
- IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core
- French tests accepted
- TEF Canada, TCF Canada
- English scale
- Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)
- French scale
- Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC)
- Result validity
- Two years from the date of the test result
Last verified against official sources: 2026-09-21
Who this applies to
- Anyone creating an Express Entry profile
- Applicants who want second official language points
- Candidates considering the French-language proficiency category
Why a test is required at all
Programme eligibility and ranking both depend on a measured level, not a self-assessment. A degree taught in English, years of work in English, or citizenship of an English-speaking country do not replace a test result.
First and second official language
Canada has two official languages. In an Express Entry profile one set of results is designated the first official language and — if you have tested in the other language too — the second. The first official language carries far more points; the second adds a smaller amount. Which one you designate as first is a choice, and it is worth checking both ways.
- Your first official language must meet the minimum for the programme you are using.
- Second official language results are optional, and only count when they reach the required level in every ability.
- Strong French can also bring additional points on top of the language factors, and opens the French-language proficiency category.
Accepted tests
| Test | Language | Converts to |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS General Training | English | CLB |
| CELPIP-General | English | CLB |
| PTE Core | English | CLB |
| TEF Canada | French | NCLC |
| TCF Canada | French | NCLC |
The version matters
IELTS Academic is not the version used for these programmes, and the general TEF and TCF versions are not the Canada versions. Book the version named above.
The lowest ability decides
Programme minimums are met per ability, not on average. A candidate at CLB 9 in three abilities and CLB 6 in the fourth meets a CLB 7 requirement in three abilities and fails it in one — which is enough to fall outside the programme. In the CRS, each ability is scored separately, so one weak ability costs points four times over: in the language factor and again in transferability.
Common mistakes
- Booking IELTS Academic instead of IELTS General Training.
- Letting results pass their two-year validity before submitting.
- Focusing on the average score instead of the weakest ability.
- Assuming French results are only useful for people living in Quebec.
Frequently asked questions
How long are language results valid?
Test results must be less than two years old when you submit your profile or application. If they expire mid-process, a new test is needed.
Can I combine results from two different English tests?
No. All four abilities for one language must come from a single test sitting of one accepted test. You can, however, take an English test and a French test and use both as first and second official language.
Is IELTS required for Canadian PR?
No specific test is required. An approved test in English or French is required, and IELTS General Training is one of several accepted options.
What to do next
- Decide which language you will use as your first official language.
- Book the correct version of the test.
- Convert your results to CLB or NCLC once you have them.
- Recalculate your score with the converted levels.
- Consider whether a second language test is worth adding.
Your next steps
Continue in the order most people find useful, rather than a list of unrelated pages.