CLB 7: CELPIP, IELTS and PTE Core Scores
CLB 7 is CELPIP 7 or IELTS 6.0 in every skill. It's the Federal Skilled Worker minimum, and it also meets the Canadian Experience Class and a PGWP after a university program.
CLB 7 scores on each test
| Skill | CELPIP | IELTS | PTE Core |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 7 | 6.0 | 60–70 |
| Reading | 7 | 6.0 | 60–68 |
| Writing | 7 | 6.0 | 69–78 |
| Speaking | 7 | 6.0 | 68–75 |
What CLB 7 in every skill qualifies you for
Meets the language minimum
- Federal Skilled Worker
- Canadian Experience Class (TEER 0 or 1 job)
- Canadian Experience Class (TEER 2 or 3 job)
- Federal Skilled Trades
- PGWP (university program)
- PGWP (college program)
- Citizenship (ages 18–54)
Language is one requirement of each program. Meeting it doesn't mean you meet the others.
CRS points at CLB 7
| Your situation | Per skill | All four skills |
|---|---|---|
| Without a spouse or partner | 17 | 68 |
| With a spouse or partner | 16 | 64 |
Why CLB 7 matters
CLB 7 is the most common language requirement in Canadian immigration. It's the minimum for:
- Federal Skilled Worker, in all four skills.
- Canadian Experience Class with a TEER 0 or 1 job.
- PGWP after a university program.
It also meets every lower requirement, from citizenship to the Canadian Experience Class with a TEER 2 or 3 job.
Eligible isn't the same as competitive
CLB 7 gets you into the Express Entry pool for Federal Skilled Worker. It doesn't get you an invitation. That depends on your CRS score, and language is one of the largest parts of it.
CLB 7 in all four skills earns 68 points without a spouse or partner. CLB 9 earns 124, which is 56 more. Few other parts of your profile can move that much with a few weeks of work, so many people who already meet CLB 7 retake the test.
Every skill has to reach 7
IRCC converts each skill on its own. A CELPIP result of 9, 9, 6 and 9 is CLB 6 in the third skill, and it fails the CLB 7 minimum even though the average is high. Find your weakest skill and work on it before the others.
Frequently asked questions
A CELPIP score of 7. To have CLB 7 in all four skills, you need at least 7 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The Average Score on your report doesn't count.
IELTS General Training 6.0 in each skill. CLB 7 is the only level where the IELTS band is the same in all four skills.
Listening 60 to 70, Reading 60 to 68, Writing 69 to 78 and Speaking 68 to 75.
It makes you eligible for Federal Skilled Worker and the Canadian Experience Class. Whether you're invited depends on your CRS score, and higher CLB levels earn more of those points.
Without a spouse or partner, 17 per skill, or 68 for all four. With one, 16 per skill, or 64.
Based on IRCC's official tables. IRCC makes the final decision on your application. For Express Entry and PGWP, results must be less than 2 years old when you apply.