Canada · Visa and migration
IELTS score for Canada Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker)
The Federal Skilled Worker Program needs at least CLB 7 in all four abilities in your first official language. On IELTS General Training that means 6.0 in listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Checked against the official source on 23 October 2026.
Scores required
Test: IELTS General Training
- listening
- 6.0
- reading
- 6.0
- writing
- 6.0
- speaking
- 6.0
Level: CLB 7 in all four abilities
Scores are minimums: the score in each skill must be at least the figure shown.
What else to know
- IELTS General Training for CLB 8: listening 7.5, reading 6.5, writing 6.5, speaking 6.5.
- For CLB 9: listening 8.0, reading 7.0, writing 7.0, speaking 7.0. For CLB 10 and above: listening 8.5, reading 8.0, writing 7.5, speaking 7.5.
- On the selection grid (67-point pass mark) each ability earns 4 points at CLB 7, 5 at CLB 8 and 6 at CLB 9 or higher. Below CLB 7 you cannot apply.
- Only IELTS General Training is accepted: IELTS Academic is not, and IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted for Express Entry.
- CELPIP-General and PTE Core are also accepted in English, and TEF Canada and TCF Canada in French.
- Results must be less than 2 years old when you create your Express Entry profile and when you apply for permanent residence.
Official sources
- IRCC: Express Entry language test resultswww.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/language-test.html
- IRCC: Federal Skilled Workerswww.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/who-can-apply/federal-skilled-workers.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
This route uses IELTS General Training scores. Each skill counts separately, so one weak skill can hold back the whole application: find it early.
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: 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
- Canadian citizenshipListening 4.5, speaking 4.0; CLB 4 in speaking and listening
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.