Minimum IELTS score to work in Canada and get PR in 2025

Recent graduates from an eligible Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) can apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which provides up to 3 years of valuable work opportunities. 

In December 2024, the PGWP-eligible fields of study were updated to include educational roles, such as early childhood education and teaching, Montessori teacher education, and child care provider/assistant. Existing broad categories include STEM, healthcare, agriculture, and agri-foods. 

As of March 2025, there is no field of study requirement for the following international student graduates from all bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral programs from a Canadian DLI (university or college). Graduates from any other college or non-university program are still subject to field of study requirements to be eligible for a PGWP. 

Another pathway is through the Express Entry online system, the fastest way for skilled immigrants to gain permanent residence in Canada and aims to fill urgent employment gaps in key sectors. 

In early 2025, Canada introduced the “Education Occupations” category in its 2025 Express Entry selection system in a move to attract professionals in the teaching field. This change in targeted Express Entry draws provides skilled educators from overseas with a clearer pathway to Canadian PR. 

Express Entry priority sectors now include occupations in healthcare and social services, trades, education, and French-language proficiency. 

English language requirements for PGWP are based on study program:  

• Bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree holders: minimum level of CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) 7—equivalent to IELTS score of 6.0 in each of the 4 test sections  

• Graduated from any other university program: minimum level of CLB 7—equivalent to IELTS score of 6.0 in each of the 4 test sections 
   

• Graduated from a college program or any other program not listed above: minimum level of CLB 5—equivalent to IELTS score of 4.0 in Reading and 5.0 in Listening, Speaking and Writing 

To apply for permanent residency through Express Entry, IELTS General Training is the only approved IELTS test. IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted for this application. 

You will need a minimum language proficiency of CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) 7, which is equivalent to scoring a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 for each of the 4 test sections.  The CLB level is used in Canada to assess the English ability of applicants. This can be translated into other English benchmark scores, including IELTS.  In Canada, there are three main Express Entry programs: 

• Federal Skilled Worker Program 

• Federal Skilled Trades Program 

• Canadian Experience Class 

For each program, there are different language proficiency requirements. Your language skills are assessed through four subcategories: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The points you earn are awarded according to your CLB level. Read on for the breakdown of the 3 immigration programs. 

 1. Federal Skilled Worker Program 

This program is targeted at those with skilled work experience in any one of the occupational categories grouped under the National Occupation Classification (NOC). It includes managerial positions and jobs that require a university degree or college diploma. If English is your first official language, the following conditions apply: If you receive lower than CLB level 7, you will not be eligible to apply.  If you get CLB 10 or higher, you will gain the maximum 24 points. 

CLB level and IELTS scores 

If English is your second official language, you get 4 points in total if you meet the following minimum requirements in each of the 4 test sections. 

2. Federal Skilled Trades Program 

This program is targeted at skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade. The criteria are more stringent, requiring at least 2 years of full-time work experience in the trade. 

In addition, your trade will have to fall under the approved categories that include agriculture, natural resources, manufacturing, and culinary-related occupations. 

The minimum English level for this program is CLB 5 for speaking and Listening skills, and CLB 4 for Reading and Writing skills.  

Here are the per-section score requirements for each CLB level and the required IELTS scores. 

3. Canadian Experience Class 

The Canadian Experience Class is targeted at skilled workers who possess Canadian work experience and are seeking to become permanent residents. 

The job categories are split into different tiers, of which for the Canadian Experienced Class, only 4 are applicable. 

This means you need to have skilled experience in at least one of these categories based on training, education, experience, and responsibilities (TEER): 

TEER 0 - Management occupations (e.g,. financial managers) 

TEER 1 - Occupations that require a university degree (e.g. software engineers) 

TEER 2 - Occupations that require a college diploma, apprenticeship training, or supervisory occupations (e.g. medical laboratory technologists) 

TEER 3 - Occupations that require a college diploma, apprenticeship training or at least 6 months of on-the-job-training (e.g., dental assistants) 

For jobs under the National Occupational Classification system (NOC) in TEER 0 and 1, the minimum English language requirement is CLB 7. For NOC TEER 2 and 3 jobs, the requirement is CLB 5. More details for Express Entry programs can be found on Canada’s immigration site. 

Here are the CLB levels that correspond to per-section IELTS scores. 

The IRCC handles all matters dealing with immigration and permanent residency in Canada.  

To increase your chances of gaining permanent residency in the Canada Express Entry pool, you will have to attain the highest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.  

With your Express Entry profile, you are entered into a randomised draw (or the Express Entry pool) to receive an invitation to apply for PR as one of the top candidates. Candidates with Canadian work experience will also have a higher chance of receiving an invitation to apply. 

Your Express Entry profile will be valid for 12 months, and processing times may vary depending on the programs you’ve applied to. 

In general, the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship department of Canada) takes a 6-month timeframe to process your application, where you should ensure that your IELTS test results are valid for the same duration.  

This means your test results must be less than 2 years old upon completing your Express Entry profile and submitting your application for permanent residence.  

Apart from meeting the language proficiency for any Express Entry programs, you will also be assessed by other criteria such as level of education, age, work experience and proof of funds.  

However, to work in Canada, IELTS overall score requirements for each skilled job may differ. For example, to be a nurse, you need a minimum IELTS overall score of 7.0, with at least 7.0 for Listening and Speaking skills, and at least 6.5 for Reading and Writing skills.   

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