Which IELTS do you need for Canada?
Take IELTS General Training for Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and permanent residence. Take IELTS Academic if your goal is university or college study and a study permit. Immigration scores are read against the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) rather than the raw band.
IELTS scores for Canada immigration (CLB)
| Purpose | IELTS General requirement |
|---|---|
| Express Entry — CLB 7 (usual minimum) | 6.0 in each of the four skills |
| Express Entry — CLB 9 (max language points) | Listening 8.0 · Reading 7.0 · Writing 7.0 · Speaking 7.0 |
| Student Direct Stream study permit | IELTS Academic 6.0 in each skill |
| University / college admission | Commonly 6.5 overall, 6.0+ per band (varies) |
Score requirements change and vary by program and institution. Always confirm the current requirement with IRCC and your chosen institution before you set a target.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score do I need for Canada PR?
For Express Entry, CLB 7 — IELTS General 6.0 in each skill — is the usual minimum. To maximise your language points, aim for CLB 9, which is Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0, and Speaking 7.0.
Do I need IELTS Academic or General for Canada?
Use IELTS General Training for Express Entry, PNP, and permanent residence. Use IELTS Academic for university or college study and the Student Direct Stream.
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