Have you ever wondered how to take IELTS for PR in Canada? If you want to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker, you must show your proficiency in English. Therefore, the best way to do this is by taking the IELTS test.
This exam assesses your ability to understand and use written and spoken English, as well as your ability to adapt to Canadian culture and society.
Thus, to help you with this everything you need to know about IELTS for Canadian permanent residence.
Important questions about IELTS for PR in Canada
Is it practical to get Canadian PR with no IELTS?
The answer is no. As of July 1, 2017, IELTS is mandatory for all applicants for permanent residency in Canada.
To qualify for a Canadian PR visa, aspirants must have an IELTS score of at least 7 or equivalent (TEF 4) under the Canadian Express Entry system.
In contrast to some PNPs (provincial nominee programs), you must have a minimum IELTS score of 4. Furthermore, the minimum IELTS score for migration will differ based on your case and circumstances.
| Minimum IELTS Score | Program Name |
| 6.0 | Federal Express Entry |
| 5.0 | Atlantic Immigration Program |
| 4.0 | Saskatchewan PNP |
| 4.0 | British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program |
| 4.0 | Alberta PNP |
| 4.0 | New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program |
| 4.5 | Manitoba PNP |
| 4.0 | Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program |
| 4.0 | Prince Edward Island PNP |
| 4.0 | Yukon Nominee Program YNP |
| 4.0 | Northwest Territories Nominee Program NTNP |
What are the objectives of IELTS?
The IELTS test is an international English-language proficiency test that is developed and administered by Cambridge ESOL, a division of Cambridge Assessment (University of Cambridge).
Those who wish to study or work where English is used as a medium of communication were tested on their English language skills.
Through a specific exam, IELTS tests all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking).
To apply for Canadian permanent residence under any of Canada’s immigration’s immigration programs, you must meet minimum language requirements.
Asses your English Online
Taking an official practice IELTS test will help you know where you stand before you take the IELTS test. A practice test marked by an official IELTS examiner is the IELTS Progress Check.
Once you have taken the practice test, you will determine how well you performed and what you can do to improve your score.
How can you apply for this exam?
The English Language Testing Service (ELTS) is run by IDP Education, which holds official agreements with many countries’ governments, including Canada’s.
The company provides English language tests that are accepted by immigration authorities as evidence of a candidate’s ability to communicate in English.
You can take an IELTS exam at any of over 1,200 examination centers on the world, and you can find it on the IELTS-IDP official website.
How long will IELTS result be valid?
The validity period of your IELTS test scores is two years maximum. Also, during two years, your test result will remain accepted by immigration, employers and universities.
Which IELTS is needed for Canada PR?
The IELTS test is broken down into two categories: academic and General Training.
So, if you are applying for immigration under economic class, your application will be reviewed by a visa officer who will look at your IELTS general training score.
Conversely, if your PR application is under any other category, such as a family or else, it will be reviewed on its own merit.
General Test: How it works
In the general IELTS test, all three sections, listening, reading, and writing, are completed on the same day.
So, speaking can be done as much as a week before or after the other tests. Furthermore, it takes two and a half hours to complete the entire test.
Most importantly, IELTS results are accounted for on a 9-band scale, so 1 is the lowest and 9 is the highest. Also, if you want to do the IELTS for PR in Canada, must understand its bands (points system).
| Level of Skill | Score (Band) |
| Expert | 9 |
| Very good | 8 |
| Good | 7 |
| Competent | 6 |
| Modest | 5 |
| Limited | 4 |
| Extremely limited | 3 |
| Intermittent | 2 |
| Non-user | 1 |
| Did not answer/attempt the test | 0 |
Speaking Test (Time 11–14 minutes)
As part of the speaking section, you are required to speak English in an oral interview with an examiner. Furthermore, the test has three parts, each with a different set of speaking patterns.
Writing Test (Time 60 minutes)
It has two writing tasks for contestants:
- In a scenario, the candidate will need to write a letter on specific details or explaining a certain predicament. In addition, it can be private (personal), semi-formal, or precise either.
- Similarly, in the second task you will write an essay in response of given argument or theory.
Reading Test (Time 60 minutes)
So, the Reading section comprises 40 questions designed to assess many types of reading ability. There are three sections.
For example, part 1 contains either two or three short texts or a series of shorter texts. Similarly, the second section has two texts to read. And, the third part includes a lengthy passage.
Listening Test (time 30 minutes)
For this assessment, you will listen to four different recordings and there will be 40 multiple-choice questions to answer.
You will see ten questions and four in each part. Also,tThe questions will come in the order they were presented in the audio.
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How do you prepare for IELTS?
The biggest challenge for most people taking IELTS is passing listening and reading. Therefore, to succeed, it’s important to get as much practice as possible by listening and reading a lot of English.
Fortunately, there are many free resources available online that can help with both areas. It’s a good idea to start with reading and then move on to listening as soon as you have a grasp of grammar and vocabulary.
If you have very strong English skills and have never been exposed to another language, then chances are good that you will do well on all four sections (listening, speaking, reading, writing) of IELTS.
If not, then it’s especially important to focus more time and energy on listening and reading.
When studying for IELTS, make sure you take time to brush up on grammar rules, as these are tested more frequently than vocabulary or reading comprehension questions.
It can also help to work through sample tests from previous years so that you get used to tackling similar questions under timed conditions.
FAQs
A high score on IELTS can also help increase your chances of being granted a visa/permit, even English is not your first language.
The IELTS can help you convince immigration officers that your English level is high enough to make a successful transition into Canadian society. Your minimum IELTS score will depend on your desired immigration program.
Yes, in Canada and some other countries, IELTS scores are released early. So, if you want your IELTS results back before they are officially released, there are two ways to ensure that happens.
One is by taking an IELTS test on a testing day that falls within 14 days of your visa application due date.
The other way is if you choose to sit your exam in one of ten countries where early scores are guaranteed. These include Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR (China), India, Japan, Nepal and South Korea.
If your goal is to become a permanent resident of Canada, then passing your IELTS exam is a necessary step. If you don’t pass, you cannot be a principal applicant.
However, if you are a dependent of main applicant, the IELTS for PR in Canada may not be compulsory for you.
The IELTS is not a difficult exam itself. You can complete it in less than 3 hours, and it assesses your English reading, writing, and speaking skills.
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Conclusion
In this blog, I explained that IELTS for PR Canada is imperative and also highlighted some important factors. Because, if you are planning to move to Canada for a wonderful life and a brighter future, you will need to write an IELTS exam.
However, it can be a complex process, but with a bit of study, research, and planning your chances of success will increase significantly.
Above all, achieving a good IELTS score is vital if you want to get your PR and live, work, or study in Canada.
