Get your language assessed
You need to have a certain level of English or French to apply for permanent residence. This level depends on the type of job offer you have. To prove your language skills, you must
- schedule your test with an approved agency
- pay the test costs
Language tests we accept
You can take any of these approved language tests:
French
Minimum scores needed
You need a minimum score of CLB 5 in all 4 abilities to apply for the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP).
How to find your language level based on your test results
Use your test results to find your CLB/NCLC level in the tables below:
CELPIP (General)
| CLB level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
IELTS (General Training)
| CLB level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 7.5 |
| 9 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 |
| 8 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 6 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 5 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| 4 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
PTE Core
| CLB level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 88-90 | 90 | 89-90 | 89-90 |
| 9 | 78-87 | 88-89 | 82-88 | 84-88 |
| 8 | 69-77 | 79-87 | 71-81 | 76-83 |
| 7 | 60-68 | 69-78 | 60-70 | 68-75 |
| 6 | 51-59 | 60-68 | 50-59 | 59-67 |
| 5 | 42-50 | 51-59 | 39-49 | 51-58 |
| 4 | 33-41 | 41-50 | 28-38 | 42-50 |
| 3 | 24-32 | 32-40 | 18-27 | 34-41 |
TEF Canada
Note: For applications received through the Express Entry (EE) system, language level will be based on the “Équivalence ancien score” (previous score equivalency) which is the Test score equivalency chart for tests taken before September 30, 2019.
Applicants are instructed to only enter the scores for each language ability from that column into their EE electronic applications for permanent residence (e-APR) regardless of the date the test was taken. All other TEF Canada score equivalency charts are not compatible with our system at this time.
The attestation de résultats (statement of results) will also include test results in the column marked “Score / 699.” If these results were entered into the Express Entry profile, it may produce an incorrect NCLC equivalency.
If you took your test after December 10, 2023
| NCLC level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 546-699 | 558-699 | 546-699 | 556-699 |
| 9 | 503-545 | 512-557 | 503-545 | 518-555 |
| 8 | 462-502 | 472-511 | 462-502 | 494-517 |
| 7 | 434-461 | 428-471 | 434-461 | 456-493 |
| 6 | 393-433 | 379-427 | 393-433 | 422-455 |
| 5 | 352-392 | 330-378 | 352-392 | 387-421 |
| 4 | 306-351 | 268-329 | 306-351 | 328-386 |
If you took your test between October 1, 2019 and December 10, 2023
| NCLC level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 566-699 | 566-699 | 566-699 | 566-699 |
| 9 | 533-565 | 533-565 | 533-565 | 533-565 |
| 8 | 500-532 | 500-532 | 500-532 | 500-532 |
| 7 | 450-499 | 450-499 | 450-499 | 450-499 |
| 6 | 400-449 | 400-449 | 400-449 | 400-449 |
| 5 | 350-399 | 350-399 | 350-399 | 350-399 |
| 4 | 300-349 | 300-349 | 300-349 | 300-349 |
If you took your test before September 30, 2019
| NCLC level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 263-300 | 393-450 | 316-360 | 393-450 |
| 9 | 248-262 | 371-392 | 298-315 | 371-392 |
| 8 | 233-247 | 349-370 | 280-297 | 349-370 |
| 7 | 207-232 | 310-348 | 249-279 | 310-348 |
| 6 | 181-206 | 271-309 | 217-248 | 271-309 |
| 5 | 151-180 | 226-270 | 181-216 | 226-270 |
| 4 | 121-150 | 181-225 | 145-180 | 181-225 |
TCF Canada
| NCLC level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 549-699 | 16-20 | 549-699 | 16-20 |
| 9 | 524-548 | 14-15 | 523-548 | 14-15 |
| 8 | 499-523 | 12-13 | 503-522 | 12-13 |
| 7 | 453-498 | 10-11 | 458-502 | 10-11 |
| 6 | 406-452 | 7-9 | 398-457 | 7-9 |
| 5 | 375-405 | 6 | 369-397 | 6 |
| 4 | 342-374 | 4-5 | 331-368 | 4-5 |
What to include in your application
If you meet the minimum score in all 4 abilities, include a copy of the test results with your application.
These results must be less than 2 years old when you apply. Keep a copy of them for your records and future use.
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