Express Entry is the fastest way to secure a Canada PR in 2022. However, you need to score the minimum IELTS bands required for Canada PR, alongside other mandated prerequisites – to qualify under the Express Entry program. 

Here’s everything you need to know about IELTS bands required for Canada PR.

IELTS score for Canada PR

Canada is one of the most sought-after immigration destinations for professionals and international students looking to settle abroad. Like I said above, Express Entry is one of the quickest ways to obtain Canadian permanent residency, where you can expect your Canada PR application to be processed within 6 months. 

Canada’s Express Entry program manages three Federal High Skilled (FHS) immigration programs:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

2. Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP)

3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

To meet the minimum IELTS score for Canada PR, you would need to score a minimum of 6.0 in each of the four modules of the IELTS exam – Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. This is equivalent to the Canadian Level Benchmark or CLB 7. 

How to get Canada PR with a low IELTS score?

Canada currently offers more than 70 immigration programs for its aspiring immigrating candidates. One has to meet the minimum IELTS bands required for Canada Visa to qualify under such programs. Express Entry has a relatively higher IELTS score for Canada PR. Interestingly, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) offer many alternatives to Express Entry – for candidates with a low IELTS score. 

One such popular pathway is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). If you have a low IELTS score, you can try applying for permanent residency under the following PNPs:

• Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)

• Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

• Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

The above-mentioned PNPs required a low IELTS score of just 4.5 to obtain a Canada PR. Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) and Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) also have a significantly lower IELTS score threshold than the Express Entry program. 

Minimum IELTS score required to study in Canada

Canada is home to some of the world’s most world-class international universities and colleges. Being one of the most preferred study destinations, Canada’s educational institutes offer a wide array of degrees and courses. 

The minimum IELTS bands required for Canada study permit is 6. It however varies across universities. 

What is the pattern of the IELTS exam?

The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS – is a widely-accepted English proficiency test that assesses candidates based on 4 key modules – Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The IELTS exam is divided into two categories: Academic IELTS training for universities and colleges, and General IELTS training for purposes related to immigration and employment. 

• Listening

In the listening section, you will need to answer 40 questions based on 4 recorded conversations. Each recording is around 3 minutes long – and can be played only once. Questions can be asked in a variety of ways including sentence completion, multiple-choice, labeling diagrams, and as such. 

• Reading 

In the reading section, you will come across 3 generic passages along with 40 questions. You will have 30 minutes to solve these – where question types usually include matching the list, multiple-choice, identifying data, and as such. 

• Writing 

The writing section is divided into 2 tasks. In Task 1, you will need to write a 150-word passage from the data, charts, tables, and diagrams given in the question. Whereas, for Task 2, you will need to write a 250-word passage. In the second question, you will be provided with an argument, opinion, or problem – which you need to justify in the 250-word passage. 

• Speaking

This is the only module that is conducted by an IELTS examiner. In the speaking section, you will be required to go through an elaborate interview that will assess your general communication skills. This interview is divided into 3 parts: Personal Interview, Speech, and Discussion. The entire assessment takes around 15 minutes to complete. 

Take Away

Apart from the IELTS bands required for Canada, you will also be assessed on other factors. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a point-based system that ranks candidates based on factors such as Age, Education, Work Experience, Adaptability, Language Proficiency, etc. These factors are categories of the CRS calculator Canada – and getting a high score in each of the factors, including Language Proficiency, is important when applying for Canadian permanent residency. 

Getting the minimum IELTS bands required for Canada PR often takes multiple attempts. You can try enriching your vocabulary, increasing your fluency, developing time management skills, and working on your writing skills – to land on desirable IELTS bands required for Canada PR. 

A higher IELTS score significantly increases your chances of immigrating to Canada whether it’s for study, work, or permanent residency-related purposes.