While applying for visas for a foreign, be it for education, work, or immigration, you’ll need to be familiar with the primary language used in that country. This applies in the case of Canada as well. Since the English language is widely used in Canada, international students looking forward to studying in Canada need to prove their proficiency in Canada. For the same, international students are required to submit their IELTS scores while applying for a student visa to study in Canada.
Here we will introduce you to the IELTS requirement for Canada Student Visa. Let’s get started:
The International English Language Testing System, also known as the IELTS Exam is an exam undertaken to measure the English language proficiency of students who want to study in a country with English as a primary language of communication.
So, if you are looking forward to studying, work or migrate to Canada from Nepal, you’ll need to prove your proficiency in the English language through your IELTS Canada scores.
IELTS exam is jointly owned and conducted by IDP Education Australia, British Council, and Cambridge English Language Assessment. The IELTS exam measures your proficiency in English in the areas of listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The scores of these IELTS results will also be applicable for countries like the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and many more. In addition, it is accepted in more than 3,400 institutions in the US and thousands of institutions in English speaking countries. Before going for the actual IELTS test, you can also take IELTS practice tests.
The two types of IELTS Tests available are:
The IELTS Academic Test is applicable for people who wish to study in foreign countries with English as a primary language. So, if you are an international student applying to study in Canada, you’ll need to apply for the IELTS Academic Test.
But, if you wish to travel to Canada for secondary education, training programs, or work, you’ll need to take the IELTS General Training test. If you are taking an IELTS test, you can get the IELTS registration details here.
To take an IELTS test, you’ll need to register for your test in advance. While booking a test for your IELTS test, make sure that you have enough time to prepare for your test prior to taking the test. Before booking your IELTS Canada test date, make sure that you are eligible to take the test. Ielts requirement for canada student visa are briefly described above.
The best part about the IELTS Test is that anyone above 16 years of age can take the test. There are no specific eligibility criteria for the IELTS test.
However, the minimum score to be obtained may differ according to the type of visa you are applying for. There are also no specific documents required for IELTS exam registration, except for your valid passport.
There are a total of 48 dates available for the IELTS test per year. This means the IELTS tests are taken four times a month all over the world. Also, there is no limitation on the number of IELTS test you can take.
For example, if you don’t get the desired result in your first test, you can easily take another test until you succeed. However, the applicants must pay the IELTS fee for each test.
Before going for the actual IELTS test, you can also take IELTS practice tests.
Top 10 Tips and Tricks to Ace IELTS Test for Canada Study Visa are:
Minimum IELTS band requirement for Canada Student Visa are:
LEVEL | IELTS Score Requirement |
Undergraduate | IELTS: 6.0 (with no bands less than 5.5 in each section) |
Post graduate | IELTS: 6.5 (with no bands less than 6 in each section) |
IELTS Requirement for Top Universities in Canada are:
SN | Canadian Universities | IELTS Score |
1 | University of Toronto | 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0 in each section) |
2 | McGill University | 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0 in each section) |
3 | University of British Columbia | 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0 in each section) |
4 | University of Alberta | 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0 in each section) |
5 | University of Waterloo | 6.5 to 7.0 |
6 | University of Calgary | 8.0 (with no band less than 7.0 in each section) |
To become used to the test, use the free practice resources available. IELTS experts lead the IELTS Masterclass sessions where you may ask questions and receive answers. To effectively prepare for your IELTS test, you can also use the free practice exams and other resources.
If you are thinking of moving to Canada as an immigrant, you’ll also have to submit your IELTS test score. Every year thousands of people from around the world apply for Canadian immigration. For the same, as a part of the application process, they appear for IELTS General Test.
The applicants for the Canada immigration program have to go through the Express Entry immigration selection system. The immigration options in Canada are:
Here are the IELTS score and Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) requirements for FSWC
For applicants with English as your official language:
If you get CLB 4 or lower, no points are awarded. If you get CLB 10 or higher, you will gain the maximum number of points, which is 34 or 32(if you are married).
CLB Level | Points per subcategory | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing |
7 | 4 | 6.0-7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
8 | 5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
9 | 6 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
10 and above | 6 | 8.5-9.0 | 8.0-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 |
If English is your second language, you get 4 points in total if you meet the following per-section requirements.
CLB Level | Total Points | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing |
5 and above | 4 | 5.0-9.0 | 4.0-9.0 | 5.0-9.0 | 4.0-9.0 |
Here are the per section score requirements for each CLB Level.
CLB Level | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing |
4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
10 and above | 8.5-9.0 | 8.0-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 |
For NOC A jobs, the minimum language requirement is CLB 7. For NOC B jobs, the requirement is CLB 5.
Here are the CLB levels that correspond to per-section IELTS scores.
NOC | CLB Level | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing |
A | 10 and above | 8.5-9.0 | 8.0-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 |
A | 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
A | 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
A | 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
B | 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
B | 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
As per the 2022 updates, the IELTS band requirement for Canada PR Visa through the Express entry program is 6 per band. So, if an applicant is able to score 6 per band in IELTS, they are eligible to apply for the express pool as well as the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). As many PNP has an IELTS requirement of fewer than 6 bands as well.
However, we always advise our Candidates to get 8,7,7,7 score. To increase the chances of getting an ITA, because getting an 8,7,7,7 score in IELTS increases the total Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
This test is similar to the IELTS test as it tests your English language proficiency in listening, writing, reading, and speaking. The only difference is that it is not a computerized test and does not include face to face speaking exam. Also, it has a longer listening test and shorter writing test.
If you are applying for the Canada immigration program, you must show that your foreign credential is valid and equal to a completed Canadian secondary school (high school) or post-secondary credential.
If your credential isn’t equal to a completed Canadian credential or the foreign educational institution is not recognized:
Your IELTS score is a major factor determining your admission to the desired learning institute in Canada. The Overall Band Score for Universities and colleges in Canada is 6.5 with no band less than 6.0.
Some Diploma and certificate level programs may accept a lower score, but it is highly recommended that you score 6.5 or equivalent.
IELTS scores are used by a vast number of institutions and organizations to figure out whether or not your English is “good enough” for eligibility—in immigration, admissions, hiring, etc. So what is a good IELTS score?.If you are taking the IELTS for immigration, what constitutes a good IELTS score will depend on the kind of visa you need (e.g. work, business, for investors, for students, etc.
If you’re taking the IELTS as an international student, both the government and the institution may have a say about what IELTS results are acceptable. In this post, we’ll help you figure out whether you have a good IELTS score or an average IELTS score, explain what the IELTS scores mean, and which universities and countries will accept your IELTS results.
IELTS BAND SCORE | SKILL LEVEL |
9 | Expert |
8 | Very good |
7 | Good |
6 | Competent |
5 | Modest |
4 | Limited |
3 | Extremely limited |
2 | Intermittent |
1 | Non-user |
Whether you are considering to study, work, or live in Canada, you’ll have to take an IELTS test and IELTS requirement for Canada student visa. If you have any other queries regarding the IELTS test, please feel free to contact us at CIC Education Hub.
Our services include assistance in IELTS preparation, visa counseling, application processing, test preparation classes, documentation guide, and pre-departure orientation session. We also guide the students on the IELTS requirement for a Canadian student visa and also on various types of Canadian visas. We will also assist you in finding a suitable province in Canada as per your program, interest, and attachments. We provide specialized visa counseling services for students willing to study in Canada from Nepal and also for the ones who are willing to apply for the Canada immigration program.
If you are looking forward to applying for College or any of university of Canada, please feel free to contact us.
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