Which English certificates are recognized in Canada?
ificates are officially recognized in Canada, their features, and requirements.
1. Main official English language certificates in Canada
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) – General Training
- The most popular and widely recognized test for immigration and study.
- Requirements vary depending on the immigration or study program, but usually a minimum score of 6.0–7.0 is required, depending on the category.
- The test assesses all four skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
- Accepted for most immigration programs, including Express Entry.
CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program) – General Test
- A Canadian test designed specifically to assess English language proficiency in the context of life in Canada.
- Assesses the same four skills as IELTS.
- Often used for immigration and citizenship.
- Assessment levels correspond to Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB).
PTE Core (Pearson Test of English) Academic
- Recognized for immigration and study.
- Assesses academic English proficiency.
- Requires a minimum score equivalent to CLB 7 for immigration programs.
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- Often used for admission to universities and colleges.
- Assesses academic English proficiency.
- Accepted by many educational institutions in Canada, but not always for immigration.
2. Canadian language standards: CLB and NCLC
- Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) – a standard for assessing English language proficiency.
- CLB levels 1 to 12 correspond to different levels of language proficiency.
- Immigration programs require minimum CLB levels depending on the category (for example, CLB 7 for Federal Skilled Workers).
- A similar standard, NCLC, is used for French.
3. English language requirements for immigration
- Federal Skilled Worker Program: minimum CLB 7 in all four skills.
- Canadian Experience Class: depends on the job category, but usually CLB 5-7.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program: minimum CLB 4-5 depending on skill.
4. Test features
| Test | Purpose | Skills assessed | Recognition in Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS General Training | Immigration, education, work | Reading, writing, listening, speaking | Widely recognized, immigration, education |
| CELPIP General | Immigration, citizenship | Reading, writing, listening, speaking | Canadian test, immigration, citizenship |
| PTE Academic | Education, immigration | Reading, writing, listening, speaking | Recognized for immigration, education |
| TOEFL iBT | Education | Reading, writing, listening, speaking | Accepted by universities, not always for immigration |
5. Additional tips
- Before applying for immigration or education, check which test and minimum score is required for your program.
- Plan ahead, as test preparation can take several months.
- Check the official websites of the Canadian government and educational institutions for the latest information.
- For immigration through Student Direct Stream (SDS), IELTS Academic with a minimum score of 6.0 is required.
Conclusion
Canada officially recognizes several English certificates, including IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, PTE Academic, and TOEFL iBT. The choice of test depends on your goal — immigration, study, or work. All of these tests assess four basic language skills and are aligned with the Canadian language standards CLB. To successfully complete immigration procedures or enroll in educational institutions, it is important to know the requirements for a specific test and language proficiency level.