Do you know that only 30% of applicants are invited for Canada PR? Out of different reasons for rejection, one is that the candidates are not able to meet the IELTS score requirements. So, in this blog explore the minimum IELTS score for Canada PR along with other pre-requisites.
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If you are interested in studying and living in Canada, then you should know the path to permanent residency. There are several requirements to fulfil in order to get a Canada PR. It also includes providing a French or English language proficiency score. To do so, the following are the accepted tests in Canada:
Moreover, the requirements also state that you need to achieve a set limit of marks. In addition, most of the students prefer to take the IELTS test for Canada permanent residency. Hence, it is necessary to know that the minimum IELTS score for Canada PR is 6.0 in every exam section.
Also read: IELTS score for Australia.
The IELTS is a test that measures a candidate's English competence. Moreover, it is a crucial component of the Canada PR. There are various ways in which the IELTS score for Canada PR contributes to the country's immigration program. The following are some of the important roles of IELTS in Canada PR:
The immigration system in Canada uses a national standard to measure the language abilities of applicants wanting to immigrate to Canada. This standard is called the Canadian language benchmark, or CLB for short. In this system, there are 12 levels to distinguish the English language abilities.
On the other hand, the most preferred test worldwide for proving English competence is the IELTS. This exam analyses the test takers on a scale of 0 to 9. Hence, with two different scoring patterns, it becomes crucial to understand how these two align with each other.
In Canada, there are three pathways for candidates seeking permanent residency. However, there requirements for language proficiency differ from each other. Hence, the IELTS scores are further converted to their equivalent CLB levels.
Also read: IELTS score for Germany.
If you want to relocate to Canada as a skilled worker, then you can use the federal skilled worker program. You must be eligible for any of the National Occupational Classification or NOC categories. Further, the CLB level and IELTS points for Canada PR that you require for this program are as follows:
| CLB level | Points per subcategory | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 8 | 5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 9 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| 10 and above | 6 | 8.5–9.0 | 8.0–9.0 | 7.5–9.0 | 7.5–9.0 |
If your second official language is English, then you are awarded 4 points. However, for that, you need to meet the requirements for IELTS scores.
| CLB Level | Total Points | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 and above | 4 | 5.0-9.0 | 4.0-9.0 | 5.0-9.0 | 4.0-9.0 |
This is an immigration program that is suitable for those having qualifications pertaining to a skilled trade. However, the regulations for this program are a bit more rigid. You need to have a work experience of more than two years in an approved trade category. These further include fields such as culinary, agriculture, manufacturing, and natural resources. The CLB level range for this program is the following:
| CLB level | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 4 |
| 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| 6 | 5.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| 10 and above | 8.5–9.0 | 8.0–9.0 | 7.5–9.0 | 7.5–9.0 |
Those who possess Canadian work experience can utilize the Canadian experience class program to get citizenship. The job categories in this program are further divided into different levels which are:
In addition, you need to have work experience in any one of these categories. The IELTS scores for Canada PR and CLB levels for this program are given below:
| NOC TEER | CLB level | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 and 1 | 10 and above | 8.5–9.0 | 8.0–9.0 | 7.5–9.0 | 7.5–9.0 |
| 0 and 1 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| 0 and 1 | 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 0 and 1 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 2 and 3 | 6 | 5.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 2 and 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
Express entry is a system that the Canadian immigration department uses. It organizes and processes applications from those seeking citizenship in the country. There are further three economic groups that this system maintains:
Eligibility for this system requires a degree from a college or university, skilled work experience, and proficiency in English or French.
The cost of applying for Canada PR through the express entryway in 2025 is around CAD 2300 per applicant, which includes the price for the following:
The express entry system is a faster way to apply for Canadian PR. The following are the requirements that can help you get PR through this system:
After you submit the necessary documents and apply for the PR through express entry, your application is processed on the basis of your points. The points you receive include factors such as language proficiency, skills, experience, and more.
After verifying the scores, the officials will send out invitations to potential candidates with higher scores. Usually, processing a Canada PR visa takes about 6 to 12 months.
Applicants need to submit an application to the Canadian government if they want a study/ work permit, a permanent residence permit, or both.
Moreover, the details in this blog are general information about the Canadian PR and the IELTS score for Canada and not any type of legal advice. Immigration laws can change further, so it is a wise decision to stay updated by regularly following the IRCC website. You can also get assistance from a lawyer or an immigration consultant.
To sum up, these are the minimum IELTS scores required to get a permanent Canadian residency. If you want to find out more details about moving to Canada or the IELTS syllabus and preparation, you can consult our expert counsellors. In addition to guidance and entail, you can also get various test resources from here, including a simulated IELTS practice test, online classes, etc.
1. How Much IELTS Score Required for Canada PR?
If you want to apply for permanent citizenship in Canada, you need to have a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 band. This is further equivalent to 7.0 score in the Canadian language benchmark.
2. Is A 5.5 IELTS Score Good for Canada PR?
The minimum IELTS score for PR in Canada is 6.0. Therefore, you are required to achieve the minimum band score in order to get a Canada PR.
3. How to Send IELTS Score for Canada PR?
The test centre for IELTS will not send the scores directly to the IRCC. Hence, you will have to submit them yourself. you can download an e-TRF using your account and can send your IELTS score for Canada PR to the IRCC. In case they ask for a paper copy, you can request one from the IELTS exam conducting authority.
4. How to Calculate IELTS Score for Canada PR?
If you want to calculate the IELTS score for Canada PR, then you can follow this simple method. Take the scores from all four sections of the exam and find out their average. After that, you can use a conversion table or CLB calculator to find their CLB equivalent.
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