Canada · Settlement and citizenship
IELTS score for Canadian citizenship
Citizenship applicants aged 18 to 54 must show CLB 4 or higher in speaking and listening. With IELTS General Training taken on or after 28 November 2008, that means listening 4.5 and speaking 4.0.
Set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Checked against the official source on 23 October 2026.
Scores required
Test: IELTS General Training
- listening
- 4.5
- reading
- Not assessed
- writing
- Not assessed
- speaking
- 4.0
Level: CLB 4 in speaking and listening
Scores are minimums: the score in each skill must be at least the figure shown.
What else to know
- Only speaking and listening are assessed for citizenship.
- IELTS General Training taken on or before 27 November 2008: 4.0 or higher in listening and speaking.
- IELTS Academic is not accepted for citizenship.
- CELPIP-G, PTE Core, TEF Canada and TCF Canada are also accepted. Results can be used even if they have expired, as long as the scores are high enough.
- Proof of a secondary or post-secondary programme taught in English or French can be used instead of a test.
Official sources
- IRCC: Language proof for citizenshipwww.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/language-proof.html
- IRCC: Language proof for citizenship, step 2www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/language-proof/step-2.html
Figures confirmed by hand on 23 October 2026; sources last checked automatically on 23 October 2026. Requirements change: the official source always decides.
Preparing for this score
Only speaking and listening count for this requirement. Practise everyday conversations, answering follow-up questions and following spoken instructions. If you take IELTS Life Skills, the test is a short face-to-face conversation with an examiner and another candidate.
See how close you are to the score you need
Take a timed mock test and get estimated band scores for each skill, with the errors that are costing you marks.
Try a mock testOther requirements in Canada
- Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker6.0 in each skill; CLB 7 in all four abilities
- Express Entry: Canadian Experience Class6.0 in each skill; CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs; CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs
- Federal Skilled Trades ProgramListening 5.0, reading 3.5, writing 4.0, speaking 5.0; CLB 5 in speaking and listening; CLB 4 in reading and writing
This page summarises a published requirement. It is not immigration or legal advice, and we cannot advise on individual cases: for that, use the official body or a regulated adviser. IELTS is a registered trademark. IELTS Prep Studio is not affiliated with or endorsed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, or Cambridge Assessment English.