IELTS to CLB Conversion for Canada
Planning to immigrate to Canada? Understanding how your IELTS scores convert to Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) is essential for programs like Express Entry.
CLB is the national standard used in Canada to describe, measure, and recognize the English language proficiency of adult immigrants and prospective immigrants. Different immigration programs require different minimum CLB levels.
Important: This information is for guidance only. Always refer to the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website for the most current and definitive requirements for specific immigration programs.
IELTS General Training to CLB Conversion
(Typically, only IELTS General Training scores are used for CLB conversion for immigration)
| CLB Level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8.5 - 9.0 | 8.0 - 9.0 | 7.5 - 9.0 | 7.5 - 9.0 |
| 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| <4 | <4.5 | <3.5 | <4.0 | <4.0 |
Source: Based on information typically provided by IRCC. Verify with official sources.
Common CLB Requirements
Many Canadian immigration programs require specific minimum CLB levels. For example:
- CLB 7: Often considered the "magic number" as it's a common minimum requirement for eligibility or for gaining significant points in programs like the Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry). As shown above, this generally corresponds to an IELTS General Training score of **6.0 in all four skills**.
- CLB 5: May be a minimum for certain provincial nominee programs or specific streams. This generally corresponds to IELTS scores of Listening 5.0, Reading 4.0, Writing 5.0, Speaking 5.0.
- Higher CLB levels (8, 9, 10) grant more points in the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).