IELTS score for Canada PR: Check Programs and Score Requirements
IELTS score for Canada PR showcases your English language proficiency to move and settle in the country. The minimum IELTS score for Canada PR 6 band in each section of the exam; reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Your IELTS score will be calculated according to CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) level. You can easily apply through the express entry program for permanent residency in Canada. Candidates are advised to check the Canada Express Entry minimum IELTS score, and the required documents from the official website before applying.
Some professions have higher requirements for IELTS score for Canada PR. For lawyers, 7.0 bands are required in Canada, and for nurses, an overall score of 6.5, and a 7.0 in speaking is required. The CLB level is used in Canada to describe your English language proficiency. Having a good idea about IELTS score to CLB calculation will help you to understand the score requirements. The CLB level of 8 means 7.5 in IELTS listening, and 6.5 in reading, speaking, and writing sections.
You can apply for PR in Canada through the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and The Canadian experience class program. For the Federal Skilled Traders program you need to have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in your trade. The Canadian Experience Class is designed for skilled workers who possess Canadian work experience and seeking to become permanent residents. The minimum IELTS score for Canada work permit is 6 bands in each section, or CLB level 7.
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IELTS Score Required for Canada PR
Candidates need to submit an IELTS General score as preferred by Canadian immigration. IELTS passing score for Canada is 6 band scores each. CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) is an important benchmark that measures the language proficiency of prospective immigrants. Candidates need to consult both CLB and IELTS for Canada immigration. There are three ways for obtaining Canadian PR:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class
Each program has different requirements for IELTS score for Canada immigration. The language abilities are assessed through reading, speaking, listening, and writing. The Canada Express Entry IELTS score is awarded to the candidates by following the CLB standards. Below are the IELTS required for Canada PR requirements along with CLB levels:
Federal Skilled Worker Program
A candidate will be considered eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program if they have a work experience of 12 months. The work experience must be of continuous job in a full-time position. They further need to have a high school diploma equivalent to Canadian education. Obtaining CLB 7 or band 6 of IELTS score required for Canada Express Entry is mandatory. Candidates having English as their official language will receive no points if they score lower than CLB 4. With a score of CLB 10 and above they will receive the maximum points of 34 or 34 (if they are married). Below is the minimum IELTS score for Canada PR for the federal skilled worker program:
| CLB Level | Points based on category | Listening | Speaking | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 and above | 4 | 5.0-9.0 | 5.0-9.0 | 4.0-9.0 | 4.0-9.0 |
| 7 | 4 | 6.0 - 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 8 | 5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 9 | 6 | 8 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| 10+ | 6 | 8.5-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 | 8.0-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 |
If the candidate has English as their second language they will receive 4 points. If they meet the CLB 5 and above sectional requirements of IELTS score for Canada PR.
Federal Skilled Trades Program
A candidate needs to have 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade. They have to obtain a full-time valid offer of employment for a minimum of 12 months from a Canadian company. The candidate has to obtain CLB 4 in any of the language tests. Below is the list of the score of IELTS for Canada Express Entry along with CLB levels:
| CLB Level | Listening | Speaking | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| 5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 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 | 8.5-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 | 8.0-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 |
Canadian Experience Class(CEC)
Candidates who have 12 months of full-time, part-time, or equivalent work experience in Canada are eligible for CEC. The work experience must be completed within the last three years of the date of application. Candidates need to obtain CLB level 7 or band 6 in IELTS exam for Canada PR for NOC A jobs. NOC A jobs are those occupations that generally require university education. Candidates required a CLB level 5 for NOC B jobs. NOC B jobs are those occupations that require candidates to have a college degree or apprenticeship training. Below is the list of the minimum IELTS score for Canada Express Entry:
| NOC | CLB Level | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 10 and above | 8.5-9.0 | 8.0-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 |
| A | 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| A | 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| A | 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| B | 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| B | 5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
How to get Permanent Residency in Canada?
There are 5 major ways to gain permanent residency in Canada. Apart from minimum IELTS score for Canada PR, candidates are eligible for permanent residency by the below mentioned measures:
- Express Entry: Express entry is a means to combat shortage of skilled employees in Canada. It is one of the immigration programmes that allows immigrants who can fill empty positions.
- Business Immigration: For those who have prior ownership, management, and operational expertise, the Business Immigration Program is the best option.
- Family Class Immigration: A Canadian immigration policy called Family Class Immigration aids in bringing together families in the nation.
- Provincial Nominee Program: A particular scheme for qualified workers who can boost the economy of a Canadian territory or province is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). It is a hassle-free, direct immigration programme to Canada.
- Canadian Experience Class: The Canadian Experience Class, or CEC, facilitates the application process for permanent residency based on experience or education for temporary foreign workers and students.
Eligibility Requirements for Permanent Residency
In order to get permanent residency in Canada, the eligibility requirements are:
- Age: There is no specific age limit for the candidates. For business or investor visas, the applicants can be over the age of 65, whereas in the case of family class immigration, the applicant can be younger than 18.
- Education: To be eligible for Canada PR, a bachelor’s degree is must that is equal to Canadian Secondary School qualification.
- Work experience: A proven work experience of 1 year is necessary for most Permanent Residence programs in Canada.
- Language ability: IELTS for Canada PR visa is one of the major eligibility criteria. The test demonstrates the English language abilities of the candidate with respect to Canadian Language Benchmark.
- Adaptability requirements: The applicant is also given points for their ability to adapt to the country. If the candidate has work experience in Canada, they get 10 points, but if they have done studies of 2 years there, they can get 5 points.
Canada PR Without IELTS
Canada immigration without IELTS is almost impossible. Candidates can take the CELPIP or Canadian English Language Proficiency Index exam instead of IELTS if they wish. IRCC has made Canada PR IELTS requirement mandatory for candidates to be able to communicate with native Canadians properly.
Candidates can opt for AIPP (Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program) as it considers a 4 IELTS band score for Canada. For permanent residence, candidates can take the Provincial Nominee Program (PNPs).
Some of the PNPs have low IELTS score requirements are as follows:
- Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP): Minimum IELTS score of 4.5
- Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP): Minimum IELTS score of 4.5
- Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP): Minimum IELTS score of 4.5
Canada assesses your English proficiency based on your overall IELTS score. IELTS score is generally valid for 2 years for Canada PR application process. You need to submit your scores to the universities or organizations within this valid time frame. A higher IELTS score translates to more points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) used by Express Entry.
FAQs
Ques: What is the minimum IELTS score for Canada PR?
Ans: The minimum requirement is an overall IELTS band score of 6.0. This score is calculated to a Canadian Language Benchmark level of 7.
Ques: Do I need the same score in all IELTS sections for Canada PR?
Ans: Canada assesses your English proficiency based on your overall IELTS score. However, it's best to aim for a balanced score of at least 6 bands across all sections of IELTS exam.
Ques: IELTS the only English test accepted for Canada PR?
Ans: There are other approved tests including CELPIP and PTE for Canada PR. Most of the students prefer to take IELTS for Canada PR.
Ques: For how long is my IELTS score valid for Canada PR application?
Ans: IELTS score is generally valid for 2 years for Canada PR application process. You need to submit your scores to the universities or organizations within this valid time frame.
Ques: How does my IELTS score affect my Canada PR application points?
Ans: A higher IELTS score translates to more points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) used by Express Entry.
Ques: Is a 6.0 IELTS score enough to get PR in Canada?
Ans: Achieving a 6.0 IELTS band meets the minimum requirement, but a higher score can significantly increase your CRS points and improve your chances.
Ques: What is the current CRS cutoff score for Canada PR?
Ans: The CRF cutoff score varies and depends on your application purpose. Check the official IRCC website for the latest information.
Ques: Do I need a higher IELTS score for specific professions for Canada PR?
Ans: Some professions have higher language requirements. For lawyers, 7.0 bands are required in Canada, and for nurses, an overall score of 6.5, and a 7.0 in speaking is required.
Ques: Are there any specific resources for preparing for the Canadian immigration IELTS test?
Ans: While there are no specific "Canadian immigration IELTS", resources available. Focusing on IELTS general test-taking strategies and Canadian English can be helpful.
Ques: Can I retake the IELTS test to improve my score for Canada PR?
Ans: If you are not able to meet the minimum score requirement for Canada PR, retaking IELTS with proper preparation can help you to increase your chances.
Ques: What happens if I don't meet the minimum IELTS score for Canada PR?
Ans: You won't be eligible to apply through specific programs. Consider improving your English and retake the test to improve your score.
Ques: Are there any ways to improve my chances of getting Canada PR with a lower IELTS score?
Ans: Other factors like work experience and education also contribute to your CRS points. Focus on strengthening your overall application.
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