Canada accepts two English tests for most immigration programmes: CELPIP-General and IELTS General Training. PTE Core is a third option. All of them give you a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level for your application.
If you are only going to Canada, the choice comes down to how each test feels on the day and which one turns your English into a higher CLB level.
CELPIP vs IELTS at a glance
| CELPIP-General | IELTS General Training | |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted for | Canadian immigration and citizenship; Australian visas | Canadian immigration; Australian visas; UK visas through IELTS for UKVI |
| Format | Entirely on a computer | On computer or paper, with Speaking face to face |
| Speaking | 8 tasks recorded into a microphone, about 15 minutes | Interview with an examiner, 11–14 minutes |
| Total time | About 2.5 to 3 hours, in one sitting | About 2 hours 45 minutes |
| English used | Canadian, everyday situations | International, a range of accents |
| Scores | Levels 1–12, matching CLB one to one | Bands 0–9, converted to CLB by IRCC’s table |
| Results | Online in 2–4 business days | Depends on the test format and centre |
| Valid for Canada | 2 years | 2 years |
Speaking: a computer or a person
This is the difference most candidates notice first.
In CELPIP you speak into a headset. There are eight short tasks, such as giving advice, describing a scene and dealing with a difficult situation. Each has a short preparation time and a fixed speaking time, and the computer moves on when time runs out.
IELTS Speaking is a conversation with an examiner. You answer questions about yourself, give a two-minute talk from a cue card, and then discuss wider questions. The examiner can repeat a question and the conversation can adjust to you. How IELTS Speaking is scored explains the four criteria.
- Choose CELPIP if a live interview makes you nervous, or if you talk well to a timer.
- Choose IELTS if you speak better when someone reacts to you.
Writing: two emails or a letter and an essay
CELPIP Writing has two tasks in 53 minutes: writing an email and responding to survey questions. Both are practical and close to everyday writing in Canada.
IELTS General Training Writing has two tasks in 60 minutes: a letter of at least 150 words and an essay of at least 250 words. The essay is the harder task for most people and counts for more of the Writing band.
Scores and CLB: where the tests differ most
Every Canadian programme sets its requirement as a CLB level. CELPIP was designed for this: a CELPIP 7 is CLB 7 and a CELPIP 9 is CLB 9. IELTS bands are converted with a table that IRCC publishes, and the conversion is not even across the four skills.
| CLB | IELTS Listening | IELTS Reading | IELTS Writing | IELTS Speaking | CELPIP (each skill) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 and above | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 10 |
| 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 9 |
| 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 8 |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 7 |
| 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 6 |
| 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5 |
| 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4 |
Source: IRCC. For CLB 10, IRCC’s table shows the IELTS minimum for each skill. If you are booking IELTS in Canada, the IELTS test centres in Canada page lists every venue with its fee.
Two things stand out:
- CLB 7 is the same everywhere: 6.0 in each IELTS skill. This is the minimum for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, so if CLB 7 is your target, either test works.
- CLB 9 needs 8.0 in IELTS Listening. Reading, Writing and Speaking only need 7.0. Listening at 8.0 means about 35 correct answers out of 40, which is where many strong candidates fall short. CLB 9 is worth a large number of Express Entry points, so this one band matters.
If your IELTS Listening is strong, IELTS is fine. If it sits around 7.0 to 7.5 while your other skills are at 7.0, CELPIP may reach CLB 9 more easily. Check your Listening with the Listening band score calculator before you decide.
Results and validity
CELPIP posts scores online in 2 to 4 business days. IELTS result times depend on whether you sit the test on computer or paper and on the centre, so check before you book if you have a deadline.
Both are valid for two years for Canadian immigration. IRCC says your results must be less than two years old when you create your Express Entry profile and when you submit your application for permanent residence.
IRCC does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry. If one IELTS skill falls short, you sit the whole test again.
If you might apply somewhere else
This is where IELTS has the advantage. IELTS General Training is accepted by Canada, Australia and many employers and professional bodies. IELTS for UKVI covers UK visas.
CELPIP is mainly a Canadian test. Australia also accepts CELPIP General for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, but the UK does not list it as an approved test.
If there is any chance you will apply to more than one country, IELTS keeps more options open.
Which one should you take?
- Check your programme accepts both. For Express Entry it does. For provincial programmes and professional licensing, check their pages.
- Work out your CLB target. CLB 7 is easy to map for either test. For CLB 9, look hard at your Listening.
- Pick your speaking format. A computer or a person.
- Think about other countries. IELTS if you might apply outside Canada.
- Compare dates and fees near you. IELTS fees by country lists Canadian IELTS prices.
If you choose IELTS
Take a free IELTS mock test to see your band in each skill, then convert it to CLB with the table above. The Academic vs General Training guide explains why Canada needs General Training, and IELTS Writing Task 1 letters covers the task most General Training candidates practise least.
Sources
- IRCC: Express Entry language test results The approved English tests (CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training, PTE Core), the two-year validity rule and that IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted for Express Entry.
- IRCC: find your language level from your test results The IELTS General Training and CELPIP to CLB tables.
- CELPIP: test format and scoring Section timings and tasks, CELPIP levels matched to CLB and CEFR, the Australian visa levels, and two-year score validity.
- CELPIP: test results Scores online in 2 to 4 business days.
- Australian Department of Home Affairs: English language Approved tests for Australian visas from 7 August 2025, including CELPIP General and IELTS, and the rule that fully online tests are not accepted.
- IELTS General Training Speaking format IELTS Speaking is a face-to-face interview with an examiner lasting 11 to 14 minutes.
Last reviewed October 15, 2026. See our editorial policy for how guides are checked and corrected.
Frequently asked questions
- Is CELPIP easier than IELTS?
- Neither is easier in general. CELPIP suits people who are comfortable speaking to a computer and know everyday Canadian English. IELTS suits people who perform better with a person in front of them. Many candidates find CELPIP Listening easier to convert to a high CLB level, because CLB 9 needs 9 in CELPIP but 8.0 in IELTS Listening.
- Does Canada accept both CELPIP and IELTS for Express Entry?
- Yes. IRCC accepts CELPIP-General and IELTS General Training, as well as PTE Core. IELTS Academic is not accepted for Express Entry, and IRCC does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake.
- What IELTS score equals CLB 7?
- 6.0 in each of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking in IELTS General Training. The CELPIP equivalent is a level 7 in each skill.
- What IELTS score equals CLB 9?
- 8.0 in Listening, 7.0 in Reading, 7.0 in Writing and 7.0 in Speaking in IELTS General Training. The CELPIP equivalent is a level 9 in each skill.
- How long do CELPIP results take?
- CELPIP scores are available online in 2 to 4 business days after the test, according to CELPIP. IELTS result times depend on the test format and the centre.
- Can I use CELPIP outside Canada?
- Yes, in some cases. CELPIP is offered at test locations in several countries, and Australia accepts CELPIP General for visas taken on or after 7 August 2025. It is not on the UK's list of approved tests, so for UK visas take IELTS for UKVI.