Express Entry Language Requirements: CLB, IELTS, CELPIP, PTE Core, TEF & TCF
Every Express Entry candidate must prove English or French ability through an IRCC-approved language test. The minimum level depends on the immigration program, while stronger language results can substantially increase your CRS score and may also make you eligible for French-language category-based selection.
Express Entry Language Requirements at a Glance
Language ability is a core requirement of Canada's Express Entry system. You must take an approved English or French language test even if English or French is your first language.
IRCC assesses English using the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) and French using the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC). Your test provider gives you test scores, and those scores are converted to a CLB or NCLC level for each of the four language abilities: speaking, listening, reading and writing.
| Express Entry program | Minimum language level |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | CLB/NCLC 7 in all 4 abilities |
| Canadian Experience Class — TEER 0 or 1 | CLB/NCLC 7 in all 4 abilities |
| Canadian Experience Class — TEER 2 or 3 | CLB/NCLC 5 in all 4 abilities |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | CLB/NCLC 5 speaking and listening; CLB/NCLC 4 reading and writing |
Meeting a program's minimum language requirement establishes one part of eligibility. It does not mean your CRS score will be high enough to receive an Invitation to Apply. Language results above the minimum can produce substantially more CRS points.
Which Language Tests Does Express Entry Accept?
IRCC currently accepts three English tests and two French tests for Express Entry.
| Language | Approved test | Required version |
|---|---|---|
| English | CELPIP | CELPIP-General |
| English | IELTS | IELTS General Training |
| English | PTE | PTE Core |
| French | TEF | TEF Canada |
| French | TCF | TCF Canada |
The specific test version matters. For example, IELTS General Training is accepted for Express Entry, while an IELTS Academic result does not satisfy the Express Entry language-test requirement. For Pearson, the approved test is PTE Core.
IRCC also specifically states that IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted for Express Entry.
Confirm that you are registering for the exact test and test version accepted by IRCC. A strong result from a non-approved test or an incorrect test version cannot be substituted for an approved Express Entry result.
What Are CLB and NCLC?
CLB and NCLC are standardized Canadian benchmarks used by IRCC to interpret language-test results. CLB applies to English, while NCLC applies to French.
Your IELTS, CELPIP, PTE Core, TEF Canada or TCF Canada score is therefore not itself the final immigration benchmark. IRCC converts the score achieved in each ability to its corresponding CLB or NCLC level.
This distinction matters because immigration eligibility and CRS calculations are generally based on the benchmark level for each individual ability, not on an overall test band or an average of the four scores.
Each ability is assessed separately
A candidate may have different benchmark levels for speaking, listening, reading and writing. If a program requires CLB 7 in all four abilities, for example, three abilities at CLB 9 do not compensate for one ability at CLB 6.
Do not average your four test scores to determine Express Entry eligibility. Compare each language ability separately with IRCC's conversion table and the minimum requirement for your program.
Federal Skilled Worker Program Language Requirement
Under the Federal Skilled Worker Program , the minimum for the first official language is CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in each of speaking, listening, reading and writing.
Language is also one of the six FSWP selection factors. A candidate must first meet the program's language threshold and must also obtain at least 67 points out of 100 across the FSWP selection grid to qualify for the program.
For the first official language, the FSWP selection grid awards points according to the benchmark achieved in each ability. CLB/NCLC 7 earns 4 points per ability, CLB/NCLC 8 earns 5 points per ability, and CLB/NCLC 9 or higher earns 6 points per ability, for a maximum of 24 first-official-language selection-factor points.
A second official language can add 4 FSWP selection-factor points where the candidate reaches at least CLB/NCLC 5 in all four abilities.
The 67-point Federal Skilled Worker selection grid is separate from the Comprehensive Ranking System. A language result can therefore affect both FSWP eligibility and, separately, your CRS ranking.
Canadian Experience Class Language Requirement
For the Canadian Experience Class, the minimum language requirement depends on the NOC TEER category of the Canadian skilled work experience used to qualify.
| NOC TEER | English minimum | French minimum |
|---|---|---|
| TEER 0 or 1 | CLB 7 in all 4 abilities | NCLC 7 in all 4 abilities |
| TEER 2 or 3 | CLB 5 in all 4 abilities | NCLC 5 in all 4 abilities |
This means two CEC candidates can have different minimum language thresholds depending on the TEER category of the qualifying occupation.
A candidate relying on qualifying work experience in a TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupation needs CLB/NCLC 7 in each ability. A candidate relying on a TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupation needs CLB/NCLC 5 in each ability.
Federal Skilled Trades Program Language Requirement
The Federal Skilled Trades Program uses different minimum thresholds for oral and written abilities.
| Ability | English | French |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | CLB 5 | NCLC 5 |
| Listening | CLB 5 | NCLC 5 |
| Reading | CLB 4 | NCLC 4 |
| Writing | CLB 4 | NCLC 4 |
Accordingly, the FSTP does not require the same benchmark in all four abilities. Speaking and listening have a higher minimum than reading and writing.
IELTS General Training Scores and CLB Levels
IELTS General Training is one of the approved English tests for Express Entry. The four IELTS scores convert separately to CLB levels.
| CLB | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10+ | 7.5–9.0 | 8.5–9.0 | 8.0–9.0 | 7.5–9.0 |
| 9 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| 8 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 |
| 5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| 4 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 |
What IELTS score is CLB 7?
CLB 7 corresponds to IELTS General Training 6.0 in speaking, listening, reading and writing.
What IELTS score is CLB 9?
CLB 9 requires IELTS General Training 7.0 in speaking, 8.0 in listening, 7.0 in reading and 7.0 in writing. This uneven conversion is important: an IELTS 7.0 in listening is not CLB 9.
IELTS 6.0 in each ability corresponds to CLB 7, which meets the FSWP minimum and the CEC minimum for TEER 0 or 1. Other programs and TEER categories have different thresholds. Express Entry does not have one universal minimum IELTS score.
CELPIP-General Scores and CLB Levels
For CELPIP-General, the relationship with CLB is especially straightforward across the commonly used Express Entry benchmark levels.
| CLB | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
For example, a CELPIP-General score of 9 in each ability corresponds to CLB 9 in each ability.
PTE Core Scores and CLB Levels
PTE Core is an approved English language test for Express Entry. As with IELTS, the score ranges differ by ability, so candidates should convert speaking, listening, reading and writing separately.
| CLB | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10+ | 89+ | 89+ | 88+ | 90+ |
| 9 | 84–88 | 82–88 | 78–87 | 88–89 |
| 8 | 76–83 | 71–81 | 69–77 | 79–87 |
| 7 | 68–75 | 60–70 | 60–68 | 69–78 |
| 6 | 59–67 | 50–59 | 51–59 | 60–68 |
| 5 | 51–58 | 39–49 | 42–50 | 51–59 |
| 4 | 42–50 | 28–38 | 33–41 | 41–50 |
For example, CLB 7 begins at PTE Core 68 in speaking, 60 in listening, 60 in reading and 69 in writing. CLB 9 begins at 84 in speaking, 82 in listening, 78 in reading and 88 in writing.
TEF Canada and TCF Canada for Express Entry
IRCC accepts two French tests for Express Entry: TEF Canada and TCF Canada. French results are converted to the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC), again on an ability-by-ability basis.
TEF Canada
For Express Entry, IRCC currently instructs candidates using TEF Canada to enter the scores from the “Équivalence ancien score” column of the result document. IRCC warns candidates not to enter the separate “Score / 699” values because those scores are not currently compatible with the Express Entry system.
Under IRCC's current Express Entry conversion table, NCLC 7 corresponds to TEF Canada scores of 310–348 in speaking, 249–279 in listening, 207–232 in reading and 310–348 in writing.
TCF Canada
For TCF Canada, NCLC 7 corresponds to scores of 10–11 in speaking, 458–502 in listening, 453–498 in reading and 10–11 in writing.
TEF Canada result documents can display more than one score format. Use the score format specifically identified by IRCC for Express Entry rather than assuming that the largest numerical score shown on the certificate is the value to enter.
How Language Results Affect Your CRS Score
Language can influence a candidate's Comprehensive Ranking System score in several ways. First-official-language proficiency can generate core human-capital points, while qualifying second-official-language results can add further points.
Language can also interact with education and foreign work experience through the CRS skill-transferability factors. As a result, improving a language benchmark can sometimes increase the total CRS score by more than the increase visible in the basic language factor alone.
Why CLB 9 is important
CLB/NCLC 9 is an important CRS threshold because reaching that level in all four first-official-language abilities can unlock the higher tier of certain skill-transferability combinations involving education and foreign work experience.
A candidate should therefore assess the effect of a higher language result on the complete CRS calculation, rather than looking only at the direct points assigned to a single language ability.
Use the Maplevisa CRS Calculator to compare how different language results may affect your overall score.
Because CRS and program rules assess language abilities individually, improving a single lower score can sometimes have a disproportionate effect, particularly where it moves all four abilities across an important benchmark such as CLB/NCLC 9.
French Language and Express Entry Category-Based Selection
Strong French can affect Express Entry in a way that goes beyond ordinary program eligibility and CRS language points.
IRCC currently has a French-language proficiency category for category-based Express Entry rounds. To meet the language criterion for that category, a candidate must have French-language test results showing at least NCLC 7 in all four abilities and must meet the other requirements stated in the instructions for the applicable round.
Category eligibility does not replace the underlying Express Entry requirements. A person must still be eligible for an Express Entry program and have an eligible profile in the pool.
Additional CRS points for French
French can also generate additional CRS points. IRCC currently awards 25 additional points to a candidate with NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities who has CLB 4 or lower in English, or who did not take an English test.
The additional award increases to 50 points where the candidate has NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities and CLB 5 or higher in all four English abilities.
French proficiency can affect ordinary language points, additional French-language CRS points and eligibility for French-language category-based rounds. These are related but legally and operationally distinct parts of Express Entry.
How Long Are Express Entry Language Test Results Valid?
Express Entry language results must be less than two years old both when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your application for permanent residence.
This creates an important timing issue for candidates whose results are approaching the two-year mark while they remain in the pool or after they receive an Invitation to Apply.
If your test expires while you are in the pool
The current Ministerial Instructions provide that if a language test becomes two or more years old while an expression of interest is in the Express Entry pool, the candidate is deemed no longer able to meet the requirements related to that result.
Candidates should therefore arrange a new approved test before expiry where continued language results will be needed and update the profile with the new results.
If your test will expire after you receive an ITA
Receiving an Invitation to Apply does not preserve an expiring language result. The results must still be less than two years old when the permanent residence application is submitted.
IRCC states that if results will expire before the application can be submitted, the candidate should retake the test, submit the application before expiry, or decline the invitation and return to the pool for future consideration.
IRCC expressly states that a permanent residence application submitted with expired language test results will be refused. Check the actual test date and planned e-APR submission date rather than relying only on the date an ITA was issued.
How to Enter Language Test Results in Your Express Entry Profile
After taking an approved test, enter the requested test information into your Express Entry profile. IRCC may require the individual scores together with the language test result form or certificate number and a test PIN, depending on the test.
Enter the scores exactly as required by the Express Entry system. Do not independently convert a score and enter the CLB/NCLC number in a field that asks for the original test result.
This is particularly important for TEF Canada because IRCC currently gives specific instructions about which score column must be used.
First and second official languages
If you have valid results in both English and French, Express Entry can assess a first and second official language. IRCC advises French-speaking skilled workers to choose their strongest language as their first official language where appropriate, because this can affect the points calculation.
Before submitting or updating a profile, confirm the effect of the actual scores on both program eligibility and CRS ranking.
Common Express Entry Language-Test Mistakes
Taking the wrong version of a test
IELTS Academic is not the approved IELTS option for Express Entry. IRCC requires IELTS General Training. For CELPIP, the approved version is CELPIP-General, and for Pearson it is PTE Core.
Using an overall IELTS band score
Express Entry does not determine your CLB from the overall IELTS band. Each of speaking, listening, reading and writing must be converted separately.
Assuming the same minimum applies to every program
FSWP, CEC and FSTP have different language thresholds. CEC also changes its minimum according to the TEER category of the qualifying Canadian work experience.
Confusing eligibility with competitiveness
A score that satisfies the minimum program requirement may still produce a CRS score that is not competitive for the rounds in which the candidate could be considered.
Letting results expire after receiving an ITA
Language results must remain less than two years old when the permanent residence application is submitted. The ITA date does not stop the validity period.
Entering the wrong TEF Canada score
IRCC currently instructs Express Entry candidates to use the “Équivalence ancien score” values rather than the separate “Score / 699” values displayed on TEF Canada results.
Assuming IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted
IRCC currently states that IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted for Express Entry.
Express Entry Language Requirements FAQs
Do I need a language test if English is my first language?
Yes. Express Entry requires approved language-test results even if English or French is your first language.
What English tests are accepted for Express Entry?
IRCC currently accepts CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core.
What French tests are accepted for Express Entry?
IRCC currently accepts TEF Canada and TCF Canada.
Is IELTS Academic accepted for Express Entry?
No. The accepted IELTS option for Express Entry is IELTS General Training.
Is IELTS One Skill Retake accepted for Express Entry?
No. IRCC currently states that IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted for Express Entry.
What IELTS score is CLB 7?
IELTS General Training 6.0 in speaking, listening, reading and writing corresponds to CLB 7.
What IELTS scores are CLB 9?
CLB 9 corresponds to IELTS General Training 7.0 in speaking, 8.0 in listening, 7.0 in reading and 7.0 in writing.
What is the minimum language score for FSWP?
The minimum first-official-language requirement is CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all four abilities.
What is the minimum language score for CEC?
For qualifying work in TEER 0 or 1, the minimum is CLB/NCLC 7 in all four abilities. For TEER 2 or 3, the minimum is CLB/NCLC 5 in all four abilities.
What is the minimum language score for FSTP?
The minimum is CLB/NCLC 5 for speaking and listening and CLB/NCLC 4 for reading and writing.
How long are language results valid for Express Entry?
The results must be less than two years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your permanent residence application.
Can I use both English and French test results?
Yes. Valid results in both official languages can be entered where applicable. The second official language can generate additional CRS points, and strong French can also qualify for additional French-language points.
What French level is needed for French-language category-based selection?
The current French-language proficiency category requires at least NCLC 7 in all four French language abilities, together with the other requirements of the applicable invitation round.
Does CLB 9 matter for CRS?
Yes. In addition to higher direct language points, CLB/NCLC 9 in all four first-official-language abilities can be important for higher skill-transferability points involving education and foreign work experience.
Language-test acceptance, score equivalencies, Express Entry categories and program requirements can change. Verify your test type, benchmark conversion and validity directly with IRCC before creating or updating a profile or submitting an application for permanent residence.
Express Entry: Language test results — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada