CELPIP for Canada
Yes, CELPIP is accepted for Canadian immigration: IRCC takes CELPIP-General for permanent residence and the post-graduation work permit, and CELPIP-General LS for citizenship. Your CELPIP level is your CLB level, and the minimum runs from CLB 4 (citizenship, home care pilots) to CLB 7 (Federal Skilled Worker, university PGWP).
Sources: IRCC at canada.ca (program pages linked below) and Paragon’s Who Accepts CELPIP, checked 27 September 2026.
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Which CELPIP test do you need?
There are two versions, and the program decides which one you take:
- CELPIP-General — all four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking), just under three hours, CA$299 plus tax. This is the test for permanent residence, the PGWP and professional designation.
- CELPIP-General LS — Listening and Speaking only, about 70 minutes, CA$199 plus tax. This is the version IRCC designates for Canadian citizenship.
Whichever you take, your CELPIP level equals your CLB level, one to one — IRCC’s own charts list CELPIP 7 as CLB 7, and so on. Times and prices: Paragon’s Test Format page, checked 27 September 2026.
CELPIP for permanent residence
These PR programs accept CELPIP-General. The minimum applies to each skill, and depends on the program and the job’s TEER level:
| PR stream | Minimum language level |
|---|---|
| Express Entry — Federal Skilled Worker | CLB 7 in all four skills |
| Express Entry — Canadian Experience Class | CLB 7 (NOC TEER 0–1 jobs) · CLB 5 (TEER 2–3 jobs) |
| Express Entry — Federal Skilled Trades | CLB 5 speaking & listening · CLB 4 reading & writing |
| Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) | CLB 5 (job offer in TEER 0–3) · CLB 4 (TEER 4) |
| Start-up Visa | CLB 5 in all four skills |
| Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots | CLB 4 |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | Set by each province and stream |
Sources (IRCC, checked 27 September 2026): Express Entry language tests, AIP language testing, Start-up Visa eligibility and Home Care Worker pilots. In Express Entry your CLB also earns CRS points — see CELPIP for Express Entry.
CELPIP for Canadian citizenship
If you are 18 to 54 on the day you sign your application, IRCC asks you to prove speaking and listening at CLB 4 or higher (citizenship eligibility, checked 27 September 2026). Paragon’s version for this is the shorter, cheaper CELPIP-General LS, so you do not sit Reading and Writing. Full details and tips are on our CELPIP for citizenship guide.
CELPIP for the post-graduation work permit (PGWP)
If you apply for a PGWP on or after 1 November 2024, you must meet a language requirement: CLB 7 in all four skills after a bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral or other university program, and CLB 5 in all four after a college, polytechnic or other non-university program (IRCC PGWP eligibility, checked 27 September 2026). Because all four skills count, you take the full CELPIP-General. See who is affected and how to prepare on our CELPIP for PGWP guide.
Professional designation, study and work
Beyond immigration, Paragon’s Who Accepts CELPIP list names professional organisations, colleges, universities and vocational programs that take CELPIP-General. Each one sets its own level, so confirm it with the body you are applying to. One exception to note: Paragon’s FAQ says Quebec Immigration does not currently designate CELPIP-General.
How CELPIP scores work
Each skill is reported as a CELPIP level that equals the same CLB level — so a CELPIP 7 is CLB 7, with no separate conversion. Convert a score with our CLB calculator, see the full CELPIP score chart, then practise under real timing with a full mock exam.
Sources, checked 27 September 2026: IRCC at canada.ca (pages linked above) for program minimums, and Paragon Testing Enterprises at celpip.ca for test versions, prices and who accepts CELPIP. Rules change; Celpip.me is an independent study resource, not affiliated with IRCC or Paragon — confirm the current requirement on the official page before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
Is CELPIP accepted for Canadian immigration?
Yes. CELPIP is designated by IRCC. CELPIP-General is accepted as proof of English for permanent residence — Express Entry, the Atlantic Immigration Program, the Start-up Visa, the Home Care Worker pilots and provincial nominee streams — and for the post-graduation work permit. CELPIP-General LS is the version for Canadian citizenship.
Which CELPIP test do I need for Canada?
CELPIP-General (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) for permanent residence, the PGWP and professional designation. CELPIP-General LS (Listening and Speaking, about 70 minutes) only for citizenship. In Canada, CELPIP-General costs CA$299 plus tax and CELPIP-General LS CA$199 plus tax.
What CELPIP score do I need to immigrate to Canada?
It depends on the program. CLB 7 in all four skills for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and for PGWP applicants with a university degree; CLB 5 for college-level PGWP, the Start-up Visa, Canadian Experience Class jobs in TEER 2–3 and AIP job offers in TEER 0–3; CLB 4 for the Home Care Worker pilots and AIP TEER 4 jobs. Because CELPIP maps one to one to the CLB, CELPIP 7 is CLB 7.
What CELPIP score do I need for Canadian citizenship?
If you are 18 to 54 when you sign your application, IRCC asks for speaking and listening at CLB 4 or higher. CELPIP-General LS measures exactly those two skills, so CELPIP 4 in Listening and Speaking meets it.
How old can my CELPIP results be?
For Express Entry, IRCC says your results must be less than 2 years old when you create your profile and when you submit your permanent-residence application. The Atlantic Immigration Program uses the same 2-year rule. Check the page for your program before you book.
Is CELPIP accepted in every province?
Not quite. IRCC accepts CELPIP for federal programs anywhere in Canada, and Paragon lists 'various Provincial Nominee Programs'. Quebec runs its own immigration selection, and Paragon's FAQ says CELPIP-General is not currently a designated test for Quebec Immigration.
Prepare for CELPIP, whatever your goal
PR, citizenship or a work permit — sit a full, timed CELPIP-style mock and see your CLB estimate for each skill.
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