Language Skills under the Federal Skilled Worker Program
Language ability is one of the six key selection factors under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Applicants can earn up to 28 points based on their proficiency in English, French, or both of Canada’s official languages.
A maximum of 24 points is awarded for a first official language, while up to 4 additional points may be granted for a second language if applicable. Applicants may choose either English or French as their primary language when applying.
To qualify, candidates must meet the minimum standard set by Canada’s national language measurement system, the Canadian Language Benchmark. The required minimum level for this program is CLB 7, which represents an intermediate level of proficiency.
Applicants must provide valid results from an approved language test when submitting their application. Accepted tests include:
- IELTS, CELPIP, or PTE Core for English
- TEF or TCF Canada for French
No other forms of proof are accepted, and test results must be less than two years old at the time of application submission.
Candidates must demonstrate minimum ability in all four language skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Those who score below CLB 7 are not eligible under this program.
Points are awarded based on official equivalency tables, where test scores (such as IELTS or CELPIP) are converted into CLB levels for assessment.
| Proficiency | IELTS/CELPIP score equivalence | Points |
|---|---|---|
| First Official Language | ||
CLB Level 9 or higher (Initial Advanced) | IELTS Listening 8 or above or CELPIP 9 or above IELTS Reading 7 or above IELTS Speaking 7 or above IELTS Writing 7 or above | 6 points per ability |
CLB Level 8 (Fluent Intermediate) | IELTS Listening 7.5 or CELPIP 8 IELTS Reading 6.5 IELTS Speaking 6.5 IELTS Writing 6.5 | 5 points per ability |
CLB Level 7 (Adequate Intermediate) | IELTS Listening 6 or CELPIP 7 IELTS Reading 6 IELTS Speaking 6 IELTS Writing 6 | 4 points per ability |
| Below CLB Level 7 | Not eligible to apply | Not eligible to apply |
| Maximum points for first official language | 24 points | |
| Second Official Language | ||
| CLB 5 and above | 4 points for all language abilities | |
| Maximum | 4 points | |
Points can also be awarded under the adaptability factor of the Federal Skilled Worker Program if the principal applicant’s spouse or common-law partner has language ability in English or French.
To qualify, the spouse or partner must demonstrate at least a CLB 4 level or higher in all four language skills—speaking, listening, reading, and writing. When this requirement is met, the principal applicant can receive up to 5 additional points under the adaptability factor.
In addition, language ability may contribute to overall scoring under Express Entry through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), specifically within the skill transferability factors.
