IELTS General Training for Canadian Immigration: Requirements and Preparation

Which IELTS test is required for Canadian immigration?

For Express Entry, applicants must take IELTS General Training. IELTS Academic, IELTS Online, and IELTS One Skill Retake results are not accepted for Express Entry.

Online practice tests and at-home preparation tools can be used for training only. Their results are not official IELTS results and cannot be submitted with a Canadian immigration application.

CUSC is not an IELTS test centre and does not issue official IELTS results. We help clients determine which approved language test is appropriate for their immigration program, which CLB or NCLC level they need, and which target score may strengthen their immigration profile.

Which language tests are accepted for Express Entry?

IRCC accepts the following English tests:

• IELTS General Training
• CELPIP-General
• PTE Core

The approved French tests are:

• TEF Canada
• TCF Canada

IELTS is therefore not the only available option. The choice should depend on the immigration program, the applicant’s current language level, test availability, and the required result.

What is the difference between IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic?

IELTS has four sections:

• Listening
• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking

Listening and Speaking are the same in General Training and Academic. Reading and Writing are different.

IELTS General Training is used for Express Entry. IELTS Academic is commonly used for admission to educational institutions or professional licensing, but the final requirement is determined by the institution or regulatory body.

IELTS Online is an IELTS Academic test and is not accepted for visa and immigration purposes. It must not be confused with a general online practice test.

What IELTS score is required?

There is no single IELTS score that applies to every Canadian immigration program. Examples of Express Entry requirements include:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program: a minimum of CLB 7 in all four abilities. For IELTS General Training, this is 6.0 in Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing.
• Canadian Experience Class for TEER 0 or 1 occupations: a minimum of CLB 7, equivalent to IELTS 6.0 in each ability.
• Canadian Experience Class for TEER 2 or 3 occupations: a minimum of CLB 5. This is IELTS 5.0 Speaking, 5.0 Listening, 4.0 Reading, and 5.0 Writing.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program: a minimum of CLB 5 in Speaking and Listening and CLB 4 in Reading and Writing.

Meeting the minimum requirement may not provide a competitive CRS score. Higher language results may increase an applicant’s points, so the target score should be determined after reviewing the immigration program and calculating the profile.

How long are language test results valid?

For Express Entry, test results must be less than two years old:

• when the Express Entry profile is created; and
• when the permanent residence application is submitted.

An application may be refused if the language result has expired. The test date should therefore be coordinated with the applicant’s overall immigration strategy.

How should an applicant prepare for IELTS General Training?

An effective preparation plan should include:

• an initial assessment of all four language abilities
• identification of the required CLB level
• study of the IELTS General Training format
• timed practice
• qualified feedback on Writing and Speaking
• error analysis
• regular practice assignments
• an individual study schedule

Any practice-test result is an estimate only. It does not guarantee the same result on the official test.

How can CUSC help?

Before registering for an exam, applicants should understand not only their current language level but also the result required for their particular immigration program. CUSC can help clients:

• identify an appropriate immigration program
• review the relevant NOC code and TEER category
• determine the minimum and target CLB or NCLC level
• compare IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada, and TCF Canada
• assess how a higher language result may affect the immigration profile
• develop an organized preparation and application plan
• check the validity of existing test results

Using an immigration representative is optional. The benefit of professional advice is that the language examination is selected as part of an overall immigration strategy. This can help applicants avoid booking the wrong test or preparing for a score that is insufficient for the selected program.

CUSC does not guarantee an examination result, an Express Entry invitation, a visa, admission to an educational institution, or permanent residence. Decisions are made by the appropriate government authorities, educational institutions, and testing organizations.