Which English tests does IRCC accept for PR?
For Express Entry, IRCC's language testing page lists three English tests and two French tests: CELPIP General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core for English, and TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French. The same list applies to the other economic programs and to the Post-Graduation Work Permit. Results must be under two years old when you complete your profile and again when you submit the PR application; an expired result at either point leads to a refusal.
| Test | Accepted for PR? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| CELPIP General | Yes | Designated since 2009. Take the General test, not LS. |
| IELTS General Training | Yes | The General Training version only. |
| PTE Core | Yes | Accepted since January 30, 2024 for all lines except the closed Student Direct Stream. |
| IELTS Academic | No | IRCC accepts only the General Training option. |
| IELTS Online | No | Academic only, and IDP states it is not accepted for immigration. |
| IELTS One Skill Retake | No | IRCC does not accept it for Express Entry (Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot only). |
| PTE Academic | No | Only PTE Core is designated; Academic is for study and Australian visas. |
| TOEFL iBT | No | Not on the designated list. |
| TOEFL Essentials | Not yet | Designated in 2025, but IRCC's page says it is not currently accepted and gives no date. |
| Duolingo English Test | No | Not on the list; IRCC accepts no at-home tests for PR. |
| CELPIP General LS | No | Citizenship only. Two skills cannot meet a four-skill requirement. |
| CAEL | No | An academic admission test; see CELPIP vs CAEL. |
If French is your stronger language, or you can add it, TEF Canada and TCF Canada are the accepted French tests, and a second language is worth up to 74 CRS points on top of your English; that maths is on the CELPIP vs TEF Canada page.
Which English test is easiest for Canada PR?
IRCC treats the three tests as equal and none publishes pass rates, so no test is officially easier. What makes one feel easier is format. CELPIP is a single sitting in everyday Canadian English with no examiner and no separate speaking appointment, and questions are multiple choice in Listening and Reading. IELTS has a live interview, which some people find reassuring and others find stressful, mixed accents, and completion answers where spelling counts. PTE Core is the shortest, but many of its 19 question types are integrated, so a Listening task can be scored on your typing and spelling, and Speaking is judged by a computer on pronunciation and fluency in 10 to 40 second bursts.
- Speaking is the deciding factor for most people: recorded tasks (CELPIP), a human interview (IELTS) or rapid computer-scored tasks (PTE Core).
- Accents: CELPIP is Canadian English; IELTS mixes British, Australian and North American; PTE Core uses a range of accents.
- Structure: CELPIP and IELTS score each skill from its own section; PTE Core's integrated tasks let one weakness (spelling, typing speed) touch two skills.
- Thresholds: IELTS Listening needs 7.5 for CLB 8 and 8.0 for CLB 9, higher than its other skills; CELPIP's thresholds are even across skills.
The pairwise pages go deeper: the full CELPIP vs IELTS comparison and CELPIP vs PTE Core in detail.
Cost: the cheapest English test for Canada PR
On published Canadian prices, CELPIP General is the cheapest of the three at $299 plus tax. IELTS in Canada runs from about CAD 335 to 361 before tax according to IDP Canada, the same for General Training and Academic. Pearson does not publish a flat Canadian price for PTE Core; it appears in the price finder when you book, and third-party guides report about CAD 340 to 360. Rescheduling matters too: CELPIP's first transfer is free (then $50 plus tax) if requested 7 or more days out and cancellation refunds 50 percent; PTE Core reschedules free 14 or more days out; IDP charges the full IELTS fee for changes inside five weeks unless there is a serious medical reason. A retake doubles the bill on any test, which is the strongest argument for practicing before you book.
Speed: how fast you get results
PTE Core is usually the fastest: Pearson says most results arrive within 2 business days, up to 5. IELTS on computer results are available in 1 to 5 days, typically within 48 hours according to IDP Canada. CELPIP posts scores in your account within 2 to 4 business days as a PDF report. For availability, CELPIP has more than 60 test centres in Canada and over 200 locations worldwide; PTE Core runs at 500+ centres worldwide; IELTS has the widest global network. Paper IELTS ended in Canada on May 7, 2026, so every accepted test is now on computer.
Scores you need: CLB 7, CLB 9 and CRS points
IRCC converts every test to Canadian Language Benchmarks per skill, and your lowest skill sets what you qualify for. Federal Skilled Worker needs CLB 7 in all four; Canadian Experience Class needs CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs and CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3; Federal Skilled Trades needs CLB 5 in Speaking and Listening and CLB 4 in Reading and Writing. CLB 9 in all four skills unlocks the 50-point skill transferability combinations.
| Target | CELPIP (each skill) | IELTS GT (L / R / W / S) | PTE Core (L / R / W / S) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 7 in every skill | 7 | 6.0 / 6.0 / 6.0 / 6.0 | 60 / 60 / 69 / 68 |
| CLB 8 in every skill | 8 | 7.5 / 6.5 / 6.5 / 6.5 | 71 / 69 / 79 / 76 |
| CLB 9 in every skill | 9 | 8.0 / 7.0 / 7.0 / 7.0 | 82 / 78 / 88 / 84 |
| CLB 10 in every skill | 10, 11 or 12 | 8.5 / 8.0 / 7.5 / 7.5 | 89 / 88 / 90 / 89 |
Each CLB step is worth real points: for a single applicant, each skill earns 17 CRS points at CLB 7, 23 at CLB 8, 31 at CLB 9 and 34 at CLB 10 or above (16, 22, 29 and 32 with a spouse). Going from CLB 8 to CLB 9 in all four skills adds 32 points on its own. Use the IELTS to CELPIP score converter to see what an IELTS or PTE Core score is worth in CELPIP terms, the CELPIP score calculator for a CELPIP result, and what CELPIP score you need for Canada PR for the program-by-program targets.
Take a full CELPIP mock test
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Test format side by side
| Skill | CELPIP General | IELTS General Training | PTE Core |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 6 parts, 38 questions, 46 to 55 min, audio once | 4 parts, 40 questions, about 30 min, audio once, spelling counts | 7 question types in 22 to 37 min, including dictation and spoken-text summary |
| Reading | 4 parts, 38 questions, 43 to 56 min | 3 sections, 40 questions, 60 min | 5 question types in 27 to 37 min, short texts, gap fills and reordering |
| Writing | Email + survey response, 150 to 200 words each, 53 min | Letter (150 words) + essay (250 words), 60 min | 25 to 50 word summary + 80 to 120 word email |
| Speaking | 8 recorded tasks, 15 min, prep and speak timers | 3-part live interview, 11 to 14 min | Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Respond to a Situation, Answer Short Question |
For CELPIP, each section can be practiced on its own: CELPIP Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking practice tests, with the part-by-part breakdown in the CELPIP test format guide.
PR vs citizenship: a different test and a lower bar
Citizenship is not PR. Applicants aged 18 to 54 need CLB 4 in Listening and Speaking only, and IRCC accepts expired results, including the report you used for PR. All three tests count, plus CELPIP General LS, a 70-minute Listening and Speaking test at $199 plus tax with no equivalent from IELTS or Pearson. The minimums are CELPIP 4 in both skills, IELTS Listening 4.5 and Speaking 4.0, or PTE Core Listening 28 and Speaking 42. Which CELPIP version to book, and the mistakes people make, are in CELPIP General vs LS, and the CELPIP General LS practice tests run the two-skill format.
Pick your test in 30 seconds
- Do you need the score for the UK, Australia or a professional body that lists only IELTS? Yes: IELTS General Training. No: continue.
- Is the nearest CELPIP centre a flight away? Yes: PTE Core (500+ centres) or IELTS. No: continue.
- Does a live interview make you freeze? Yes: CELPIP or PTE Core. No: any of the three.
- Are your spelling and typing weak? Yes: CELPIP (multiple choice Listening and Reading, spell-check in Writing). No: continue.
- Do you want the shortest sitting and the fastest result? Yes: PTE Core. Otherwise: CELPIP, the cheapest test with one sitting and even thresholds across skills.
What changed in 2025 and 2026
- January 30, 2024: IRCC began accepting PTE Core for all lines of business except the Student Direct Stream.
- November 8, 2024: the Student Direct Stream closed, so there is no designated test list for regular study permits.
- March 25, 2025: job offer points were removed from the CRS, which makes each CLB step relatively more valuable.
- August 2025: ETS announced TOEFL Essentials was approved for economic immigration; as of the review date IRCC's page still says it is not currently accepted.
- May 7, 2026: the last paper-based IELTS in Canada; IDP has since moved to computer delivery.
- June 23, 2026: IRCC merged its separate language pages into one, with no tests added or removed.
Prepare for the test you pick
Whichever test you choose, take a full-length practice test before you book, because a retake costs as much as the first sitting. For CELPIP, Test 1 of our free CELPIP General mock tests is free with the real timers, audio played once and AI feedback on your Writing and Speaking; the best CELPIP practice tests guide compares every other resource, including Paragon's official free tests, and the complete CELPIP guide covers booking and test day. For IELTS and PTE Core, start with the official sample tests from IDP and Pearson.
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