# IELTS band requirements for Canada Canada's immigration programs use IELTS General Training and the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). Study permits leave the score to your school. Checked against the official sources on 2026-10-08. ## IELTS scores for Canada | For | IELTS test | Minimum | Conditions | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Federal Skilled Worker (Express Entry) | IELTS General Training | CLB 7 in all four skills: Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Speaking 6.0 | Results must be less than 2 years old when you apply. IRCC doesn't accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry. | | Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry) | IELTS General Training | CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs (Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Speaking 6.0); CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs (Listening 5.0, Reading 4.0, Writing 5.0, Speaking 5.0) | The level depends on the TEER category of your Canadian work experience. | | Federal Skilled Trades (Express Entry) | IELTS General Training | CLB 5 in Speaking and Listening (5.0 and 5.0); CLB 4 in Reading and Writing (3.5 and 4.0) | Results must be less than 2 years old. | | Post-graduation work permit (PGWP), university programs | IELTS General Training | CLB 7 in all four skills (Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Speaking 6.0) | For applications made on or after 1 November 2024, by graduates of bachelor's, master's, doctoral and other university programs. Results must be less than 2 years old when you apply. | | Post-graduation work permit (PGWP), college programs | IELTS General Training | CLB 5 in all four skills (Listening 5.0, Reading 4.0, Writing 5.0, Speaking 5.0) | For graduates of college, polytechnic and other non-university programs, for applications made on or after 1 November 2024. | | Study permit | Set by your school | No IRCC minimum | Each school sets the English level it needs for admission. The Student Direct Stream ended on 8 November 2024. | | Provincial Nominee Programs | Set by each province | Varies by province and stream | Each province and territory has its own requirements; check the program you apply to. | *Checked against official sources on 2026-10-08* Work out your bands on the [IELTS band score chart](/ielts/band-score-chart) or with the [IELTS band score calculator](/ielts/band-score-calculator). What the test costs where you'll take it is on [IELTS fees by country](/ielts/fees). ## IELTS General Training to CLB IRCC's conversion table: the lowest IELTS General Training band in each skill for each Canadian Language Benchmark level. The [CLB calculator](/tools/clb-calculator) does this for your own scores. | CLB | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | | 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | | 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | | 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | | 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | | 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | | 10 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | *Source: IRCC language test results tables* Listening needs a higher band than the other skills from CLB 8 up. CLB 8 needs 7.5 in Listening and CLB 9 needs 8.0, so a 7.0 in Listening is only CLB 7, while Reading, Writing and Speaking reach CLB 9 at 7.0. If you're aiming for CLB 9, check Listening first. The [CLB calculator](/tools/clb-calculator) also gives the CELPIP and PTE Core scores for each level, the other two English tests Express Entry accepts. ## CRS points by CLB level In Express Entry, each English ability earns Comprehensive Ranking System points by its CLB level. For a single applicant that is 17 points at CLB 7, 23 at CLB 8 and 31 at CLB 9. Moving all four abilities from CLB 7 to CLB 9 adds 56 points. | CLB level | Points per ability, single | With a spouse or partner | | --- | --- | --- | | CLB 7 | 17 | 16 | | CLB 8 | 23 | 22 | | CLB 9 | 31 | 29 | | CLB 10 or more | 34 | 32 | *First official language. Source: IRCC Comprehensive Ranking System criteria* ## Questions ### Does Canada accept IELTS Academic for PR? Not for Express Entry. IRCC says you must take the IELTS General Training option, and it doesn't accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry. ### What IELTS score is CLB 7? In IELTS General Training, CLB 7 is Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Speaking 6.0, per IRCC's conversion table. You need each skill at or above its figure. ### What IELTS score is CLB 9? Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0, Speaking 7.0, in IELTS General Training. Listening needs the higher band: CLB 8 needs 7.5 in Listening, so a 7.0 there is only CLB 7. ### What IELTS score do I need for a PGWP? CLB 7 in all four skills for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates, for applications from 1 November 2024, in IELTS General Training. **Sources** - [IRCC: Express Entry language test results](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/language-test.html) - [IRCC: Post-graduation work permit eligibility](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility.html) - [IRCC: PGWP language test results](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility/language-results.html) - [IRCC: PGWP documents](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/get-documents.html) - [IRCC: Prepare to study in Canada (study permit)](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/prepare.html) - [IRCC: Student Direct Stream](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/study-permits/direct-stream.html) - [IRCC: Provincial Nominee Program](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/provincial-nominees.html) - [IRCC: Comprehensive Ranking System criteria](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/check-score/crs-criteria.html)