Language testing for Permanent Residence Applicants

Primary applicants to all Canadian immigration classes must provide results from an officially designated language testing agency. These results must be submitted with the application for PR, or it will not be processed.  People whose first language is one of Canada's official languages must also undergo the test. Nominees of Provincial Nominee Programs are exempted from the language test requirement.

Testing Options:

Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP):  You must take the CELPIP "General" test.Closest test sites are in Toronto and Ottawa. This is a Canadian test, and test materials use a Canadian accent. Total test time: 3hrs, entirely done on computer

International English Language Testing System (IELTS): You must take the “General Training” option. Closest test sites are in Toronto and Ottawa.Test materials of this international test use a variety of English accents (Australian, British, etc). Total test time: 2hrs45mins scheduled from 9am;  plus a personal interview with an examiner (to test speaking) which is scheduled during the afternoon. Interviewees must be prepared to stay until 5:30pm.

Any language test results are valid for two years from the date they were taken.