If you are applying to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry or a Provincial Nominee Program, you need proof of your English ability from a test that IRCC approves. If you choose IELTS, there is only one version that counts: IELTS General Training.
IN THIS GUIDE
This page walks you through exactly which test to book, what score you need, what it costs, how to book it, and what happens on test day.
Which IELTS test does IRCC accept
IRCC accepts these language tests for Express Entry. For English: CELPIP General, IELTS General Training, and PTE Core. For French: TEF Canada and TCF Canada (IRCC Express Entry language test results).
Two things to be very clear about, because they come straight from IRCC:
You must take the IELTS General Training option. IELTS Academic is not accepted for Express Entry.
IRCC does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry. If you sit a One Skill Retake to fix a weak band, that result cannot be used in your Express Entry profile.
Your test results must be less than 2 years old both when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your application for permanent residence (IRCC Express Entry language test results).
What score do you actually need
IRCC does not read your IELTS bands directly. It converts them into Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). This is the official IELTS General Training to CLB conversion table published by IRCC (IRCC Express Entry language test results):
| CLB level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 7.5 |
| 9 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 |
| 8 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 6 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 5 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| 4 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
Language requirements depend on the Express Entry program and, where relevant, the work classification. Check the current IRCC language test requirements for the program you plan to use.
If you claim a second official language, the minimum is CLB or NCLC 5 in speaking and listening and CLB or NCLC 4 in reading and writing.
How to book, step by step
- Confirm you need General Training. For Express Entry, confirm that IELTS General Training is the accepted IELTS option. If you are applying through another immigration program, check that program's current language test requirement before booking., it is General Training. Academic is for university admission and it will not be accepted.
- Use the official IELTS booking website or an approved test centre to find a current session in your chosen location.
- Pick paper or computer. See the comparison below. Choose the delivery format that suits your preparation, availability, and selected test centre..
- Register with the exact ID you will bring on test day. You register with your passport (or, in Canada, your Permanent Resident Card if that is what you use). Your name on the booking must match your ID character for character, because that name goes on your Test Report Form and IRCC will compare it to your passport.
Paper or computer: which to book
| Feature | IELTS on paper | IELTS on computer | Check before booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery format | Complete Reading, Writing, and Listening on paper. | Complete Reading, Writing, and Listening on computer. | Confirm current availability, result information, and Speaking arrangements with the selected provider or test centre. |
Sources: IDP IELTS Canada test day and results pages (https://ielts.idp.com/canada/about/test-day/what-to-bring and https://ielts.idp.com/canada/about/what-is-ielts/ielts-faq/when-can-i-get-my-test-results).
What the test looks like
| Section | Time | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | About 30 minutes, 4 parts, 40 questions. On paper you get 10 extra minutes to transfer answers | Recordings played once only |
| Reading | 60 minutes, 3 sections, 40 questions | Everyday and workplace texts, not academic papers |
| Writing | 60 minutes, 2 tasks | Task 1: a letter of at least 150 words. Task 2: an essay of at least 250 words |
| Speaking | 11 to 14 minutes, 3 parts | Face to face interview with an examiner |
Total test time is about 2 hours 45 minutes. Listening, Reading and Writing are done on the same day with no breaks in between. The Speaking test may be scheduled up to a week before or after the other sections (IRCC Express Entry language test results).
Test day: what to bring and what to leave at home
Follow the current instructions in your booking confirmation and from your selected test centre. Confirm the identification you must bring, arrival time, permitted items, and any centre specific rules before test day. IELTS test day guidance.
Getting your results and using them
Check the current provider guidance for result access, Test Report Form information, reviews of results, and future test booking options. If your score is below the level you need, compare each language ability with the relevant official requirement before deciding your next step.
For Express Entry, you enter your band scores into your profile yourself, along with your TRF number and the test date. IRCC does not need a sealed envelope from the test centre for the Express Entry profile stage.
One Skill Retake: it exists, it is cheaper, and IRCC will not accept it for Express Entry. Do not use it to fix an Express Entry score.
Common mistakes
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Booking IELTS Academic. | IELTS Academic is not accepted for Express Entry, and no appeal will change that. Check the test name on your booking confirmation before you pay. |
| Using One Skill Retake for Express Entry. | IRCC states plainly that it does not accept it for Express Entry. |
| Letting the 2-year clock run out. | Your results must be under two years old when you create your profile and again when you submit your PR application. |
| Name mismatches. | The name on your Test Report Form must match your passport. If your booking says Kumar S and your passport says Suresh Kumar, expect trouble. |
Questions people actually ask
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Prepared by KGraph Immigration. Last updated July 2026. General information, not legal advice.
