The English scores you need to immigrate to Canada
Express Entry and Canadian citizenship both measure English with the CLB standard. See the minimum CLB for each immigration program and calculate your CRS score. No English score yet? Prepare with CELPIP.
- Free tools
- Facts from IRCC
Plan your English learning
A CELPIP teacher will contact you with a free plan for the score your program needs.
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Minimum English levels by program
These are the lowest CLB levels that make you eligible. Higher levels earn more Express Entry points.
| Program | Minimum English level |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | CLB 7 in all 4 abilities |
| Canadian Experience Class, TEER 0 or 1 job | CLB 7 in all 4 abilities |
| Canadian Experience Class, TEER 2 or 3 job | CLB 5 in all 4 abilities |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | CLB 5 in speaking and listening, CLB 4 in reading and writing |
| Canadian citizenship (ages 18 to 54) | CLB 4 in speaking and listening |
Source: IRCC Express Entry language requirements and citizenship language proof pages. See IRCC's language requirements
Higher CLB levels can add CRS points
For a single applicant, each of the 4 English abilities is worth:
CLB 7
17
points per ability
CLB 8
23
points per ability
CLB 9
31
points per ability
CLB 10+
34
points per ability
CLB 9 in all four abilities also unlocks the higher skill-transferability points for education and foreign work.
Calculate my CRS scoreWhat changes on November 3, 2026
IRCC announced these changes to the CRS. They take effect on November 3, 2026.
- A new Labour Market Integration factor gives up to 150 CRS points for Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer, whichever scores higher.
- A job offer no longer needs a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to count.
- Job offer points (100, 70 or 50) go only to occupations on IRCC's high-wage list of 186 occupations.
- IRCC recalculates every profile, which could take up to two weeks. Invitation rounds pause during that time.
IRCC's list of changes does not include language (CLB) points. Read IRCC's announcement
Estimate your CRS scoreFree immigration assessment tools
Check your CRS score, the citizenship English rules and the occupation points lists.
Express Entry CRS calculator
Find your CRS score in five steps, including the November 3, 2026 points for high-wage jobs and job offers.
Calculate my score →Citizenship English requirement
Ages 18 to 54 normally need CLB 4 in speaking and listening and take the citizenship test. IRCC may grant a waiver on compassionate grounds.
See the requirement →High-wage and NOC lists
Search 516 NOC 2021 occupations, including the 186 on IRCC's high-wage list: TEER and Express Entry eligibility.
Search occupations →
Provincial nominee programs
An Express Entry provincial nominee stream can add 600 CRS points. Each province sets different English minimums.
British Columbia (BC PNP)
Skills Immigration needs a B.C. job offer and at least CLB 4. Through Express Entry BC, you can add 600 CRS points.
See the program →Alberta (AAIP)
8 streams (4 worker, 4 entrepreneur). Most worker streams need CLB 4 or 5 (CLB 7 for NOC 33102 in Alberta Opportunity), and the Express Entry stream needs a CRS score of 300 or more.
See the program →Ontario (OINP)
Since June 25, 2026, one stream: Ontario Workforce Priority. Most workers need a job offer and CLB 6; eligible self-employed physicians can apply without a job offer.
See the program →
Prepare with CELPIP
IRCC accepts CELPIP-General for Express Entry, and CELPIP levels match CLB levels one to one (CELPIP 9 = CLB 9). For citizenship, IRCC also accepts CELPIP-General LS, which tests listening and speaking only.
- CELPIP 4 = CLB 4
- CELPIP 5 = CLB 5
- CELPIP 6 = CLB 6
- CELPIP 7 = CLB 7
- CELPIP 8 = CLB 8
- CELPIP 9 = CLB 9
- CELPIP 10 = CLB 10
Immigration English questions
Which English tests does Express Entry accept?
Canada's Express Entry accepts CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core for English. For French, it accepts TEF Canada and TCF Canada. Express Entry does not accept IELTS Academic or IELTS One Skill Retake results.
How long are Canadian immigration language test results valid?
Express Entry requires your language results to be less than 2 years old both when you create your Express Entry profile and when you submit your application for permanent residence. Before you apply, check that your results are still valid, so that expired results do not affect your application.
What is the CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks)?
The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) are Canada's standard for assessing English ability. The French equivalent is the NCLC. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) converts your test scores to a CLB or NCLC level for each of the 4 abilities: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
What English level do I need for Canadian citizenship?
When you apply for Canadian citizenship, applicants aged 18 to 54 normally need proof of English or French ability, with CLB 4 or NCLC 4 or higher in listening and speaking. Applicants 55 and older or under 18 do not need language proof. Applicants who meet specific conditions can ask for a language waiver.
Can I use CELPIP for both Express Entry and Canadian citizenship?
Yes. Express Entry requires CELPIP-General results in all 4 abilities. Canadian citizenship accepts CELPIP-General or CELPIP-General LS results, and level 4 or higher in listening and speaking meets the language requirement.
Is it worth improving my English after I meet the minimum for immigration?
Yes. For Express Entry applicants, a higher English score helps raise your CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score. CLB 10 in all 4 abilities of your first official language earns the maximum core language points. CLB 9 or higher in all 4 abilities can also earn higher skill-transferability points. Use the CRS calculator to see how many points a higher score adds.
Photographs: Pier 21 2010 1, Skeezix1000, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Russian Jewish immigrants / Immigrants juifs d'origine russe, BiblioArchives / LibraryArchives, CC BY 2.0 · Citizenship ceremony Corus Quay. 04, PvOberstein, CC0 · Centre Block, Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (29442182363), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Canadian Passports - Old and New, Jusfiq, CC BY-SA 4.0