Why is this important:

Language proficiency in Canada’s official languages (English or French) is a central component of Canada’s immigration system. A candidate’s language ability is seen as an important core factor in their future success in Canada when assessing an economic immigration application.

IELTS is the only test accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for English language proficiency that can be taken outside of Canada.

IELTS offers a choice of two test versions, to serve both academic and non-academic purposes. IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Only IELTS General is used for immigration purposes in Canada. IELTS General measures English language proficiency in a practical, everyday context. The tasks and texts reflect both workplace and social situations.

• Express Entry

Under Express Entry, up to 136 points are available for proficiency in English as a candidate’s first official language across the four disciplines.

A further 24 points can be scored for proficiency in a second official language. Language skills also feed into the points awarded for skills transferability, or combination factors.

These points can make the difference between whether a candidate receives a coveted Invitation to Apply.

• International Students

International students are regularly offered places at Canadian institutions dependent on the successful completion of an English or French language course.

Short-term study permits are granted for the duration of the language course, before a longer-term permit is issued for the candidate’s diploma or degree.

In this case, language skills directly influence whether a candidate is successful or not, as their language ability is central to their ability to pass a diploma or degree.

• Provincial Immigration Categories

The majority of Canada’s provincial nomination program streams normally include language ability requirements. The level required varies depending on individual nature of the immigration stream.

Several provinces also manage their own Express Entry streams, for which the language requirements are not specifically stated, but are an essential requirement under the federal Comprehensive Ranking System.

How can I improve my score:

IELTS assesses your English proficiency on a scale from 1–9 in four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

Prepare for your test

Preparing for your test is an important part of the process. Take advantage of the IELTS free resources to help improve your language and communication skills. Download the Information for Candidates booklet from https://www.ielts.org/what-is-ielts/ielts-for-migration/canada, and check out the sample test questions online.

Are you a native English speaker?

Native English speakers are also strongly advised to prepare for the IELTS test. It is easy to feel overconfident about the test when you have been using English all your life. But, if you want to achieve the best possible score for your test, you need to familiarise yourself with the test format. You can also access preparation materials to ensure you are ready for test day.