Most of the immigration programs has Language proficiency as one of their general requirements. To meet this requirement candidates should show a proof of language test. Canada immigration system has its own language benchmark and equivalencies between the benchmark and language tests.

Your language test should be one of the following to be approved by immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada.

• English
  • CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
    • you must take the CELPIP-General test
    • IRCC doesn’t accept the General-LS test for Express Entry
  • IELTS: International English Language Testing System
    • you must take the General Training option
    • IRCC doesn’t  accept the Academic option for Express Entry
• French
  • TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français, including:
    • compréhension de l’écrit
    • compréhension de l’oral
    • expression écrite
    • expression orale
    • TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français, including:
    • compréhension de l’écrit
    • compréhension de l’oral
    • expression écrite
    • expression orale

English language-testing organizations

The following organizations administer the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP):

• Paragon Testing Enterprises Inc.
• University of British Columbia

Note: The CELPIP has 2 tests: CELPIP-General (CELPIP-G) and CELPIP-General – Listening and Speaking (CELPIP-G LS).

• The CELPIP-G test is accepted by IRCC for immigration and citizenship purposes.
• The CELPIP-G LS test is accepted by IRCC for citizenship purposes only.

The following organizations administer the International English Language Testing System (IELTS):

• Cambridge Assessment English
• International Development Program (IDP) Australia
• British Council

French language-testing organizations

The Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry administers the Test d’évaluation de français pour le Canada (TEF Canada).

Note: For IRCC purposes, applicants must submit results for the following TEF Canada modules: reading (compréhension de l’écrit), listening (compréhension de l’oral), writing (expression écrite) and speaking (expression orale). The grammar and structure (lexique et structure) module are not required for Canadian economic immigration purposes, although test candidates take it as part of the reading and listening modules.

France Éducation International administers the Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada).

Note: For IRCC purposes, applicants must submit results for the following TCF Canada modules: reading (compréhension de l’écrit), listening (compréhension de l’oral), writing (expression écrite) and speaking (expression orale).