Canada has many different immigration programs and each one of them has their own requirements when it comes to English language abilities. The IELTS score needed for immigrating to Canada differs depending on which immigration program you're interested in.
Your IELTS results needs to be converted to the CLB level and you need to reach the required CLB level in all four language abilities (reading, writing, speaking and listening). We have included a conversion table at the end of this article for your convenience.
This article only focuses on the English language requirements needed. Each program or stream has other eligibility criteria and/ or scoring systems.
If your professional is regulated, please check with the regulatory body what their language requirements are as it could be higher when compared to the immigration programs.
Some provinces have different CLB requirements depending on the NOC TEER levels of occupations. We have listed the NOC TEER next to the program where there are different language requirements.
Programs or streams that require CLB 6:
Manitoba Skilled Worker Overseas Express Entry (NOC TEER 3)
Manitoba Skilled Worker Overseas Human Capital (Compulsory trades)
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program (NOC TEER 0, 1 or 2)
Programs or streams that require CLB 5:
Alberta Opportunity Stream (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3)
Atlantic Immigration Program (NOC TEER 0, 1 or 2)
Express Entry: Canadian Experience Class
Express Entry: Federal Skilled Trades Program (CLB 4 in reading & writing, CLB 5 in speaking & listening)
Manitoba Skilled Worker Overseas Human Capital (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3)
Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled worker
Newfoundland and Labrador Priority Skills
Northwest Territories Skilled Worker (NOC TEER 3)
Ontario: Skilled Trades
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program (NOC TEER 3)
Saskatchewan Skilled Worker Express Entry (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3)
Yukon Skilled Worker (NOC TEER 3)
Programs or streams that require CLB 4:
Agri-Food Pilot Program
Alberta Opportunity Stream (NOC TEER 4 or 5)
Atlantic Immigration Program (NOC TEER 3 or 4)
British Columbia Entry Level & Semi-Skilled Worker Category
Northwest Territories Entry Level/ Semi Skilled Worker (NOC TEER 4 or 5)
Nova Scotia Occupations in Demand
OINP Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream
Prince Edward Island: Critical Worker
Prince Edward Island: Skilled Workers in PEI
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program (NOC TEER 4 or 5)
Saskatchewan Long-Haul Truck Drivers
Saskatchewan Skilled Worker Occupations in Demand
Yukon Critical Impact Worker
Convert your IELTS scores to CLB using this table
| Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
CLB 10+ | 7.5 - 9 | 8.5 - 9 | 8 - 9 | 7.5 - 9 |
CLB 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 - 7.5 | 7 |
CLB 8 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
CLB 7 | 6 | 6 - 7 | 6 | 6 |
CLB 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5 - 5.5 | 5.5 |
CLB 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 - 4.5 | 5 |
CLB 4 | 4 - 4.5 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4 - 4.5 |
For more information on the different immigration programs and how it could help you gain permanent residency in the future, book a consultation with our registered Canadian immigration consultant.
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