For all immigration programs, proficiency in either French or English is required. Additional points can be gained from having proficiency in both languages, with extra points awarded to applicants achieving high levels in French language tests. The results achieved in the language tests are assigned equivalent Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels, which are used to assess whether the required language levels have been met for immigration to Canada. Each test has a different grading system which means determining the equivalent CLB levels is reasonably complicated. When learning a language or taking a test, most students are more familiar with the levels A1 (beginner) - C2 (fluent), so for simplicity, the table below gives a rough indication of the level required for each CLB level.

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A1 (Beginner)                           =                 no CLB level assigned

A2 (Elementary)                       =                 CLB levels 4

B1 (Intermediate)                    =                  CLB levels 5

B2 (Upper-Intermediate)        =                  CLB levels 6-7

C1 (Advanced)                         =                  CLB levels 8-9

C2 (Proficiency)                       =                  CLB levels 10-12

 

Each immigration program has a different language requirement, which is given as a CLB level.

Examples:

1. To be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, an applicant must achieve a minimum of CLB 7 in either a French or English language test, which means their language skills must be at the higher end of the B2 (upper-intermediate) level.

2. To be eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program, an applicant must achieve a minimum of CLB 5 for speaking and listening and CLB 4 for reading and writing, which means their language skills must be around B1 (intermediate) level for speaking and listening and A2 (elementary) level for reading and writing.

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Below is a brief outline of the 4 language tests which are accepted by the IRCC for immigration to Canada. Please note that the results of all language tests are only valid for 2 years, after which they will expire and the results will no longer be valid.

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English tests:

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

This is the most commonly used test for evaluating English language proficiency and can be taken in cities all over the world. There are 2 options when booking an IELTS test, the General Training option or the Academic option. Please note that only the General Training option is accepted for Express Entry programs.

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This test covers all 4 disciplines - reading, writing, speaking and listening. All components of the test are generally completed on the same day, although some test centres may conduct the speaking test on a different day.

• The reading test is 60 minutes long with 40 questions in divided into 3 sections.

• The listening test is 3o minutes long with 40 questions in a variety of formats across 4 recordings of native English speakers. Recordings are only played once and the accents used can range from Canadian to American, British, New Zealand and Australian.

• The writing test is 60 minutes long and consists of 2 tasks; the first to write a letter requesting information and the second to write an essay giving an opinion or presenting an argument.

• The speaking test lasts 11-14 minutes and is divided into 3 parts.

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CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program)

The CELPIP test is an English language proficiency test recognised by the IRCC for immigration purposes. Please note that only the General Test option is accepted for Express Entry programs. CELPIP tests can currently only be taken in the following countries: Canada, USA, India, UAE, Singapore, Philippines and China.
This test covers all 4 disciplines - reading, writing, speaking and listening. It takes around 3 hours and all components are completed on the same day.

• The reading test is approximately 60 minutes long and consists of 38 questions divided into 4 parts.

• The listening test is approximately 55 minutes long and consists of 38 questions divided into 6 parts. An important difference from the IELTS test is that only 1 single North American accent is used throughout the test.

• The writing test is approximately 60 minutes long and consists of 2 tasks; the first to write an email and the second to respond to survey questions.

• The speaking test lasts 15-20 minutes and is divided into 8 tasks.

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French tests:

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TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français)

The TEF Canada test is a French language proficiency test recognised by the IRCC for immigration purposes. Test centres are not as common as those for English tests, but they can be found in cities across the world. Click here to be taken to an interactive page which shows the test centre locations worldwide for all French language tests. Click on specific countries to see whether they provide the TEF test.

The test consists of all 4 components - reading, writing, speaking and listening, and all are completed on the same day. 

• The listening (oral comprehension) test lasts 40 minutes and has 60 questions.

• The reading (written comprehension) test lasts 60 minutes and has 50 questions.​

• The speaking (oral expression) test lasts 15 minutes and consists of 2 parts.

• The writing (written expression) test lasts 60 minutes and covers 2 topics.​

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TCF Canada (Test de connaissance du Français)

The TCF Canada test is a French language proficiency test recognised by the IRCC for immigration purposes.  The IRCC only began to accept results from TCF tests in 2018, prior to this the only French language test accepted was the TEF Canada, so there is still a lot less information to be found online regarding the TCF, and fewer centres offer the TCF test. Nevertheless there are study guides and online practice tests available, and more and more test centres are providing TCF testing. Click here to be taken to an interactive page which shows the test centre locations worldwide for all French language tests. Click on specific countries to see whether they provide the TCF test.

Similar to the TEF, the test consists of all 4 components - reading, writing, speaking and listening, and all are completed on the same day. 

• The listening (oral comprehension) test lasts 35 minutes and has 39 questions.

• The reading (written comprehension) test lasts 60 minutes and has 39 questions.​

• The speaking (oral expression) test lasts 12 minutes and consists of 3 tasks.

• The writing (written expression) test lasts 60 minutes and covers 3 tasks.​​​

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