Taking IELTS in Canada.

IELTS fees in Canada

Fees as listed on each centre's official page; the official pages note that local tax may apply. Confirm the amount when you book. Fees in other countries are in IELTS fees by country.

How to book IELTS in Canada

1. 01 For Express Entry and other permanent residence programmes, book IELTS General Training. Universities and colleges ask for Academic. UK visas need IELTS for UKVI.
2. 02 Choose a centre below and open its official booking link. British Council venues book through the British Council and IDP venues through IDP.
3. 03 Pick a date and a Speaking time.
4. 04 Enter your details exactly as they appear on your ID and pay online. The fee is shown before tax.
5. 05 Check the confirmation email for the venue, arrival time and what to bring.

On test day

Bring the original document you registered with. IDP Canada accepts only an original, current passport, valid for at least 7 days after the test; photocopies are refused. The British Council accepts the passport or national identity card you registered with.

Results

IELTS on computer: about 2 days. On paper: Writing on Paper is offered at many venues. IDP Canada gives results typically within 48 hours for IELTS on computer, and the British Council typically within 2 days. You see your results in your online test taker account and download the electronic Test Report Form there. To see what your scores mean, use the band score calculator.

Retakes and One Skill Retake

IRCC does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry, so for permanent residence you need a full IELTS General Training result. One Skill Retake may still help for a university or employer that accepts it; IDP lists it at about CAD 253 before tax. How One Skill Retake works.

Cancelling or moving your test

Both providers refund part of the fee if you cancel 15 or more days before the test and nothing within 14 days. The British Council refunds 75% (a 25% admin fee) through the Test Taker portal; IDP refunds the fee less an admin charge. Serious illness and other exceptional circumstances can be considered with evidence.

IELTS to CLB for Express Entry

Canadian immigration programmes set their English requirement as a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level. IRCC converts IELTS General Training bands to CLB skill by skill, and the conversion is not even: CLB 9 needs 8.0 in Listening but 7.0 in the other three.

IELTS General Training minimum band in each skill, from IRCC's equivalency chart. The Federal Skilled Worker Program and Canadian Experience Class need at least CLB 7 in every skill. Results must be under 2 years old when you create your profile and when you apply.

Common questions