Quick answer
For Express Entry, IRCC accepts IELTS General Training, not IELTS Academic, and explicitly says IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted. Federal Skilled Worker requires CLB 7 in all four abilities. Canadian Experience Class requires CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs and CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3. Federal Skilled Trades requires CLB 5 in Speaking and Listening and CLB 4 in Reading and Writing.
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Express Entry uses IELTS General Training
IRCC lists three accepted English tests for Express Entry: CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core. If you choose IELTS for an Express Entry profile, the accepted IELTS product is General Training rather than Academic.
IRCC also states that IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted for Express Entry. If one ability does not meet the level you need, do not assume a One Skill Retake result can be used for this route.
- IELTS option: General Training
- IELTS Academic: not the Express Entry IELTS option
- IELTS One Skill Retake: not accepted for Express Entry
- Language results must still be valid when you create the profile and submit the permanent-residence application
The minimum CLB depends on the Express Entry program
Federal Skilled Worker requires CLB 7 in each of the four abilities for the first official language. Canadian Experience Class uses the job's NOC TEER level: TEER 0 or 1 requires CLB 7 in all four abilities, while TEER 2 or 3 requires CLB 5.
Federal Skilled Trades uses different thresholds by ability: CLB 5 for Speaking and Listening, and CLB 4 for Reading and Writing.
| Program | Minimum English level |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker | CLB 7 in all 4 abilities |
| CEC — TEER 0 or 1 | CLB 7 in all 4 abilities |
| CEC — TEER 2 or 3 | CLB 5 in all 4 abilities |
| Federal Skilled Trades | CLB 5 Speaking/Listening; CLB 4 Reading/Writing |
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Convert every IELTS ability separately
Canada does not convert an IELTS overall band into one Express Entry CLB. Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking are converted separately, and a program that requires a minimum in all four abilities is limited by the weakest qualifying ability.
For example, CLB 7 corresponds to IELTS General Training 6.0 in each ability. CLB 9 corresponds to Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0, Listening 8.0 and Speaking 7.0. Use the free IELTS to CLB calculator to convert all four scores.
Your language results must remain valid
IRCC says Express Entry language-test results must be less than two years old when you complete your profile and when you submit the permanent-residence application.
If a result will expire before you can submit an application, plan for another approved test rather than assuming an expired result can remain in the file.
Turn the lowest ability into the next study target
Once you know the required CLB, compare each IELTS General Training ability with the official conversion table. The biggest opportunity is usually the ability below the threshold, not the overall band.
Use official IRCC rules for eligibility and Nektar’s IELTS practice for repeated exam preparation, explanations, vocabulary and progress tracking. Nektar is a study tool, not an immigration eligibility service.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS test should I take for Express Entry?
IRCC accepts IELTS General Training for Express Entry. IELTS Academic is not the listed Express Entry IELTS option.
What IELTS scores equal CLB 7?
IELTS General Training CLB 7 is 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.
What IELTS scores equal CLB 9?
CLB 9 is Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0, Listening 8.0 and Speaking 7.0.
Can I use IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry?
No. IRCC explicitly states that IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted for Express Entry.
Nektar for IELTS
Turn your IELTS plan into today's practice.
Use Nektar for short IELTS practice sessions, focused repetition and progress you can keep in one place.