Is IELTS mandatory for Canada PR?

Is IELTS mandatory for Canada PR? This is the question that roams across every individual who wants to migrate to Canada for better opportunities and lifestyle. Many factors should be considered, if you are aiming to carve a successful career in Canada. Language proficiency is one of the most important factors when somebody is planning to move to Canada. There are two major official languages of Canada – French, and English, and English being the first official language, is very much needed to improve your CRS score.

You must take a language ability test to prove that you are proficient in English. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a popular exam people usually undertake to check their English proficiency. It is a globally standardized test for the English language which is recognized by Canadian Government for immigration purposes. Let’s dive in to know if is IELTS mandatory for Canada PR, or not.

Please keep in mind that IELTS is “not” mandatory for Canada PR, it is indeed one of the four language proficiency tests that you can consider taking for Canada PR. It can be pretty overwhelming to take IELTS for immigration to Canada but you can score high with the right information and preparation.

About IELTS

It is one of the major English language proficiency tests which is recognized globally. Other tests which can be taken to migrate to Canada are CELPIP, TCF, and TEF. CELPIP exams are generally managed within the country, it is conducted for testing English proficiency whereas TCF and TEF are conducted for testing French proficiency. So candidates can decide for themselves, is IELTS mandatory for Canada PR or not.

English language proficiency is to be tested under four modules which are Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening. IELTS is required for individuals who want to immigrate to Canada. There is a different level of language proficiency test for each immigration program.

Two Types of IELTS

General Training Test: It is for foreign nationals who want to work or immigrate to an English-speaking country

Academic Test: It is for foreign nationals who are interested in studying under a graduate or undergraduate program in Canadale Text

Determination of Results

The test of duration 2 hours and 45 minutes will be conducted in an official British Council IELTS center. A 9-band scoring system is used for evaluating and reporting test scores. Individual band scores are received by a candidate for Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking which means an overall band score from 1 to 9 will be received by the candidate. Received scores will be converted into Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB), as this is what is used on their application for a visa. 12 levels of language proficiency are depicted by CLB in each of the four skills.

Three stages in CLB are as follows:

• Stage 1 – Basic Language Ability (Benchmarks 1 to 4)
• Stage 2 – Intermediate Language Ability (Benchmarks 5 to 8)
• Stage 3 – Advanced Language Ability (Benchmarks 9 to 12)

The level of CLB can be determined by using the IELTS score as shown in the table:

Preparation for IELTS

• Talk to native speakers in English
• Exposure to English media is necessary including movies and songs
• Practice a good range of reading material to prepare for all sections of the test
• Learn the format of the IELTS exam

Minimum IELTS Score Required

Some universities have minimum score criteria of band 6, and some have band 6.5 for admission through IELTS. Any score below Band 6 is not good for entering the country. From the date of issuance of results, IELTS scores are considered valid by IRCC for 2 years for Canadian immigration. For permanent residency through Express Entry, the minimum IELTS score must be no less than 6 in all four sections, which is equivalent to CLB 7. So you can now decide for yourself, is IELTS mandatory for Canada PR?