Update October 2026
Accepted Express Entry tests are now CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core for English, and TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French. Results must be less than two years old. See Express Entry.
Canada Express Entry
Skilled immigrants seeking to migrate to Canada through the Express Entry system must prove language skills by undertaking an approved language test. The Express Entry system requires language proficiency to be demonstrated for the following streams:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Canadian Experience Class
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
The skilled migrant is responsible for scheduling the test, paying the cost, and ensuring you upload your test results to your Express Entry profile.
Provincial Nominee Program
Skilled immigrants seeking to migrate to Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program must prove their language skills by undertaking a third-party language test. This is a requirement for migrants in a semi- or low-skilled job and is necessary prior to the Province or Territory nominating you. The third-party language test must be conducted by an agency approved by the IRCC.
Language Testing
Approved Language Tests
To meet the Express Entry requirements, applicants can take any of the following approved language tests:
ENGLISH
FRENCH
Minimum Language Level
To be eligible for Express Entry to Canada, applicants must obtain the following minimum scores in the approved language tests:
CLB = Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) for English
NCLC = Niveaux de competence linguistique Canadien (NCLC) for French
|
Stream |
Language |
Minimum Score |
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | English | CLB 7 |
| French | NCLC 7 | |
| Canadian Experience Class | ||
| NOC 0 or A | English | CLB 7 |
| French | NCLC 7 | |
| NOC B | English | CLB 5 |
| French | NCLC 5 | |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | English – Speaking and Listening | CLB 5 |
| English – Reading and Writing | CLB 4 | |
| French – Speaking and Listening | NCLC 5 | |
| French – Reading and Writing | NCLC 4 | |
Adriana Chipman
Juris Doctor (University of Melbourne)
Adriana is one of our immigration agent assistants. She graduated from the Juris Doctor at the University of Melbourne at the end of 2020. She is currently completing her Graduate Diploma in Practical Legal Training at Leo Cussen Centre for Law in Melbourne, Victoria.
With her experience in volunteering for not-for-profit organisations in addition to conducting legal research, drafting documents, and engaging with clients
Adriana works to assist our team in any and all administration matters relating to immigration.
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