Language Tests Accepted for Work Permit Applications under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
Although the official IRCC Work permit checklists do not include an English language test as a compulsory requirement, IRCC Officers retain the authority to deny any work permit application in the absence of substantial evidence of English language proficiency.
Even if you, as an applicant, have spent several years employed in a foreign, English-speaking nation or perhaps on a Cruise Ship, this might not be solid proof.
The Canadian Supreme Court has ruled that an IRCC Officer is entitled to reject any application without an English language test. The official English language test serves as the sole reliable evidence of language proficiency. While an IRCC Officer may consider aspects of your prior employment history, it is advisable not to rely on their ‘goodwill’. Furthermore, the English language test remains valid for two years, allowing it to be utilized for future PR applications as well. For the Work Permit application, we suggest CLB 5 in every category (regardless of the overall score).
Accepted language tests typically include:
- English:
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System): Specifically, the General Training test is usually required.
- CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program): The General test is the relevant option.
- PTE (Core): This is the newest test designated by IRCC
- French:
- TEF Canada (Test d’Évaluation de Français Canada): This test assesses general French language proficiency.
- TCF Canada (Test de Connaissance du Français Canada): Similar to TEF Canada, this test evaluates French language skills.
Understanding the Required Scores
The required score on these language tests typically aligns with the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) for French. These benchmarks define the levels of proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
It’s crucial to understand the specific CLB or NCLC level required for your chosen work permit category. This information is NOT usually found on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website or in the specific guidelines for the work permit stream you are applying for.
For the work permit application, we recommend obtaining CLB 5 in every category. For the Express Entry application, IRCC requires CLB 7 for the Federal Skilled Program, and CLB 5 or even 4 for some other programs, such as the Federal Skilled Trades and Canada Experience Class. However, we do recommend obtaining CLB 7 or higher in every category so you can obtain higher scores.
Tips for Preparing for Your Language Test
Preparing adequately for your language test is crucial for achieving the required score. Here are some helpful tips:
- Assess your current skill level: Identify your strengths and weaknesses in each language skill (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).
- Develop a study plan: Create a realistic study schedule that allocates sufficient time to each skill area.
- Utilize official practice materials: Familiarize yourself with the test format and question types using official practice tests and resources provided by the test administrators.
- Consider taking a language course: Enrolling in a language course can provide structured learning and personalized feedback.
- Practice regularly: Consistent practice is key to improving your language skills and building confidence. Engage in activities like reading English/French newspapers, listening to podcasts, and practicing speaking with native speakers.
Below you will see converted test results to CLB levels.
CELPIP
CLB level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
IELTS (General)
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 |
PTE (Core)
CLB level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 88-90 | 90 | 89-90 | 89-90 |
9 | 78-87 | 88-89 | 82-88 | 84-88 |
8 | 69-77 | 79-87 | 71-81 | 76-83 |
7 | 60-68 | 69-78 | 60-70 | 68-75 |
6 | 51-59 | 60-68 | 50-59 | 59-67 |
5 | 42-50 | 51-59 | 39-49 | 51-58 |
4 | 33-41 | 41-50 | 28-38 | 42-50 |
3 | 24-32 | 32-40 | 18-27 | 34-41 |

Language Tests Accepted for the Work Permit Applications under the Francophone Mobility Program
You can prove your French language skills by providing educational documents confirming your studies in French such as:
- Post-Secondary Education: A transcript or official letter of completion from a college or university program conducted entirely in French can be submitted as proof. This is our preferred option, such as a Certificate, Diploma, or higher degree.
- Secondary Education: Similarly, documents showing education at the secondary level in French can be used.
In addition, you can provide a French language test as proof. You should be able to prove that you’re speaking and listening skills in French are at an intermediate level. This would be equivalent to a level 5 or higher in the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) scale.
There are 4 different categories of the French language test. Below, we will try to ‘decode’ those categories, converting them to English and CLB:
Comprehension Orale – Listening
Comprehension Ecrite– Reading
Expression Orale -Speaking
Expression Ecrite– Writing
TEF Canada
NCLC level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 546-699 | 558-699 | 546-699 | 556-699 |
9 | 503-545 | 512-557 | 503-545 | 518-555 |
8 | 462-502 | 472-511 | 462-502 | 494-517 |
7 | 434-461 | 428-471 | 434-461 | 456-493 |
6 | 393-433 | 379-427 | 393-433 | 422-455 |
5 | 352-392 | 330-378 | 352-392 | 387-421 |
4 | 306-351 | 268-329 | 306-351 | 328-386 |
TCF Canada
NCLC level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 549-699 | 16-20 | 549-699 | 16-20 |
9 | 524-548 | 14-15 | 523-548 | 14-15 |
8 | 499-523 | 12-13 | 503-522 | 12-13 |
7 | 453-498 | 10-11 | 458-502 | 10-11 |
6 | 406-452 | 7-9 | 398-457 | 7-9 |
5 | 375-405 | 6 | 369-397 | 6 |
4 | 342-374 | 4-5 | 331-368 | 4-5 |
