Canada Immigration Language Tests Guide

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canadian federal immigration department, is responsible for approving which language tests will be accepted for each temporary or permanent immigration program that require minimum language requirements (and/or increase chances of being invited to apply), such as programs under Express Entry, the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), the Student Direct Stream (SDS), etc. 

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) follow IRCC and accept the same approved language tests. Quebec is the only exception as they have their own list of accepted tests.

Permanent residence immigration programs

For permanent residence programs, there are three approved English tests and two for French – Depending on the test and location, fees range between $300-$400 and results are usually available between 2 to 4 weeks:

• IRCC-approved English tests:
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System): you must take the “General Training” option and not the “Academic Training”
  • CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program): you must take the “General Test” option and not the “General LS Test” (there are less test locations than IELTS and PTE but it is available in more than 20 countries)
  • PTE Core (Pearson Test of English Core) : you must take the PTE Core option
• IRCC-approved French tests:
  • TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation du français pour le Canada) 
  • TCF Canada (Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada)

Canadian citizenship

For a citizenship application, the list of approved English and French tests are the following:

• IRCC-approved English tests:
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
  • CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program): you can take either the “General Test” (CELPIP-G)” or the “General Listening and Speaking Test (CELPIP-G LS)”
  • PTE Core (Pearson Test of English Core) : you must take the PTE Core option
• IRCC-approved French tests:
  • TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation du français pour le Canada) 
  • TEFAQ (Test d’évaluation du français adapté pour le Québec)
  • TEF Intégration, Résidence et Nationalité (previously known as Test d’Évaluation de Français pour naturalisation)
  • TCF Canada (Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada)
  • TCF Québec (Test de connaissance du français pour le Québec)
  • DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française) 
  • DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française) – B1 or higher (B2, C1 or C2)

For citizenship applications, IRCC accepts language tests results used in previous permanent residence application, event if they are expired. The result must be from one of the accepted tests listed above.

Temporary residence programs

For temporary residence programs, there is no specific list of accepted language tests. There is usually no set requirement to provide a language test result, however, applicants should check the processing office’s document checklist to see if language tests are required. When unsure, it is recommended to include language test results, insufficient proof of language proficiency often leads to the refusal of study or work permits applications.

The only exceptions are for:

• The Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot, where IRCC requires French language test results from specific providers.
• The Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), where IRCC requires language test results. Approved test providers for this work permit are the same as of permanent residence programs (see above).