Tool · Canada Immigration
Is your IELTS or TOEFL score enough for Canada?
Enter your scores and instantly see your CLB level and which Canadian immigration programs you qualify for — Express Entry, CEC, FSW, and study permits.
Enter your IELTS scores
IELTS requirements for Canada immigration
Canada uses the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) system to measure English language ability. IELTS scores are converted to CLB using official IRCC conversion tables.
Express Entry (FSW, CEC, FST)
The minimum required is CLB 7 for each skill for most Express Entry categories. Reaching CLB 9 adds significant CRS points and increases your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
CLB 7 (minimum)
IELTS 6.0 each band
CLB 9 (+CRS points)
IELTS L:8.0 / R:7.0 / W:7.0 / S:7.0
CLB 10 (top CRS)
IELTS L:8.5 / R:8.0 / W:7.5 / S:7.5
Canada Study Permit
Most Canadian universities require IELTS 6.0–6.5 overall. The U15 group (top 15 universities) typically requires 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0.
CLB conversion table — IELTS & TOEFL
| CLB | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L | R | W | S | L | R | W | S | |
| 10 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 |
| 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| 8 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 20 |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 9 | 9 | 16 | 18 |
| 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 14 |
Source: Official IRCC conversion tables. L = Listening, R = Reading, W = Writing, S = Speaking.
Most common blocker
Writing blocks most immigration applications
In most cases, Writing is the section that prevents applicants from reaching CLB 7. Getting detailed feedback on your essays is the fastest way to close this gap — faster than generic practice questions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum IELTS score for Canada Express Entry?
The minimum is CLB 7, which equals 6.0 in each of the four IELTS skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. All four bands must meet the minimum — a high score in three sections cannot compensate for a low Writing score.
Do I need IELTS Academic or General Training for Express Entry?
Both are accepted for Express Entry. General Training is typically used for immigration pathways, while Academic is required for university admissions. Check specific program requirements on the IRCC website.
Is TOEFL accepted for Canadian immigration?
Yes, TOEFL iBT is accepted for Express Entry. CLB 7 requires a minimum of 17 in each TOEFL section. TOEFL Home Edition is also accepted.
How much does improving from CLB 7 to CLB 9 help my CRS score?
Moving from CLB 7 to CLB 9 in all four skills can add up to 32 CRS points per skill for a total of up to 128 points — a significant boost that can move you from the waiting pool into active ITA territory.
My Writing score is below 6.0 — what should I do?
Writing Band 6.0 (CLB 7) is the most common blocker for Express Entry applicants. The fastest path is to understand exactly which criteria you are losing marks on — Task Achievement, Coherence, Vocabulary, or Grammar — and target those specifically. Generic practice without feedback rarely moves Writing scores.
Don't know your current level?
Take a free mini mock — real exam-style tasks, 20 minutes. See your section-by-section estimate and whether Writing is blocking your CLB target.