Why IELTS is important for immigration to CANADA?
Sitting in #IELTS exam for #immigration to #canada can be daunting, but with the right information and preparation, you'll be ready to get the best #IELTS score possible and improve your chances of immigrating to #canada.
The International English #Language Testing System (#IELTS) General exam is an international standardized test of English language ability recognized by the Government of #canada for #immigration purposes.
#IELTS for #immigration to #canada
What is the #IELTS exam? How does the #IELTS function with respect to #canada’s various economic #immigration programs? What is the required #IELTS score for #canada #immigration? And how can you obtain the best possible #IELTS results, thereby increasing your chances of settling in #canada at the earliest opportunity?
This guide to #IELTS and #immigration to #canada provides crucial answers to these questions, with additional advice and resources for individuals and families looking to make #canada their permanent home.
What you'll find on this page
- About IELTS
- IELTS and express entry
- IELTS and other Canadian #immigration options
- IELTS for study in #canada
- Sitting an IELTS exam: An overview
- #IELTS FAQs
The #IELTS is one of four language tests recognized by the government of #canada for #immigration purposes. The others are the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP), Test de connaissance du français pour le #canada (TCF #canada), and the Test d’Évaluation du Français (TEF). CELPIP exams are mostly administered within #canada, though more CELPIP test centres have opened internationally, and the TCF and TEF are only used for evaluating French ability.
UPDATE: Starting in late 2023, Pearson’s Test for English (PTE) Essential will be accepted for #immigration applications. More details to come.
Bearing in mind that there are four languages tests recognized by #canada for #immigration purposes, and that each test has different results/marking methods, #canada has developed an equivalency scoring system for the different tests. Results of each test are given a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) equivalent, from 1 to 10. This way, people who sit different tests, sometimes in different languages, can be compared and ranked fairly.
Applications submitted to most of #canada’s federal economic #immigration programs are managed under the Express Entry #immigration selection system.
Getting into the Express Entry pool
All potential immigrants under Express Entry need to prove ability in English or French (or for extra points, both). This includes native English and French speakers, no matter where they come from or which school they went to. Express Entry is a level playing field, and every point matters as candidates vie for that all-important invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Let’s assume for a moment that you don’t have French ability and are not in a position, geographically speaking, to sit a CELPIP English test. In such a scenario, you are going to need to pass an #IELTS exam in order to enter the Express Entry pool. For Express Entry, you must take the #IELTS General Training exam (not the academic version).
There are different pathways to entering the pool, with #canada offering three separate programs within Express Entry. If you are not sure which program(s) you may be eligible under, see our guides:
• Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC): For workers evaluated under a unique FSWC points system. Eligible individuals must obtain at least 67 points out of 100. Up to 28 points are available for language ability, plus an additional 5 points are available if you apply with a spouse/common-law partner who is proficient in English or French.
• Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC): For tradespersons with relevant experience.
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For individuals with ongoing or recent work experience in #canada.
To Enter the pool* |
|
|
|
|
FSWC |
FSTC |
CEC (NOC 0 or A) |
CEC (NOC B) |
|
Speaking |
#IELTS 6 |
#IELTS 5 |
#IELTS 6 |
#IELTS 4 |
Reading |
#IELTS 6 |
#IELTS 3.5 |
#IELTS 6 |
#IELTS 4 |
Writing |
#IELTS 6 |
#IELTS 4 |
#IELTS 6 |
#IELTS 4 |
Listening |
#IELTS 6 |
#IELTS 5 |
#IELTS 6 |
#IELTS 5 |
*The above table assumes that the individual is otherwise eligible for the listed program(s). Obtaining #IELTS exam results equal to or better than the results listed above does not guarantee entry to the pool.
#IELTS for #immigration to #canada: Important Express Entry thresholds
As you can see, the eligibility requirements for entering the pool are different for FSW, FST, and CEC candidates, respectively. However, once in the pool all candidates are ranked using the same points system, known as the Comprehensive Ranking System, or CRS.
Candidates who entered the pool with #IELTS results equivalent to CLB 8 or below can make incremental gains in their CRS points total if they can prove improvements in their language skills having re-sat an exam.
However, something special can happen if you reach CLB 9, also known as ‘initial advanced’ level. This is because under the ‘skills transferability’ factors of the CRS, language ability is paired separately with education level and work experience gained outside #canada. Up to 100 CRS points are available for these combinations. These bonus points are in addition to the points received for improving language skills under the human capital factors.
Reaching CLB 9 can make or break a candidate’s prospects for #immigration to #canada.
To show this, let’s use a hypothetical example. John is a candidate in the pool. Upon entry to the pool, he had proven English ability equivalent to CLB 8 (that is: #IELTS 7.5 in listening, and #IELTS 6.5 in speaking, reading, and writing). He is 30 years old, has a Master’s degree, and three years of work experience outside #canada. He does not have a job offer, a provincial nomination, or any family members living in #canada. This gave him an initial score of 382 CRS points. However, he re-took an #IELTS exam and made marginal improvements across the four abilities, bringing his results to the equivalent of CLB 9 in all four. In doing so, his score increased to a lofty 464 CRS points! Such a score is often enough to secure an ITA in an Express Entry draw.
CLB 9 |
|
Speaking |
#IELTS 7 |
Reading |
#IELTS 7 |
Writing |
#IELTS 7 |
Listening |
#IELTS 8 |
CLB 9: You can get there with a bit of help
Unlock bonus CRS points and prove that you are worthy of being invited to apply for #immigration to #canada.
A full conversion chart showing how #IELTS results translate into CLB levels can be found below. Scores range from 0-9, with increments of .5.
CLB |
#IELTS Speaking |
#IELTS Reading |
#IELTS Writing |
#IELTS Listening |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1.5 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
2.5 |
3 |
3.5 |
4 |
4 |
3.5 |
4 |
4.5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
5.5 |
5 |
5.5 |
5.5 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
8 |
6.5 |
6.5 |
6.5 |
7.5 |
9 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
10 |
7.5 |
8 |
7.5 |
8.5 |
11 |
8 |
8.5 |
8 |
9 |
12 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
CLB level |
CRS points awarded |
1-4 |
0 |
5-6 |
1 |
7 |
3 |
8 |
3 |
9 or higher |
5 |
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