New Language Requirements Under the Revised Federal Skilled Worker Program – CLB to IELTS

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Qualifying for the Federal Skilled Worker Program will require meeting minimum language requirements under rules that will be put in place in early 2013

New language requirements under the new Federal Skilled Worker program

CLB to IELTS Conversion

Citizenship and Immigration Canada has released more details about the new Federal Skilled Worker program, which will be launched in January of 2013, and it includes changes to how language proficiency is assessed. In an interview with CICS News, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) Alex Khadempour said applicants would need to focus more on language under the new rules:

“If you are looking to apply for the new Federal Skilled Worker program, it’s best to start by understanding the new language requirements and to write your exam as soon as possible so that you don’t miss the window of opportunity before the quota fills up.”

“CIC plans to significantly increase the maximum points awarded for proficiency in the English and French languages from 24 points to 28 points, making language the single biggest factor in an application’s chances of being accepted,” he added.

Details of the proposed changes

First Official Language:

According to a bulletin released by CIC, an applicant must prove a minimum proficiency in each of the four language abilities, speaking, listening, reading and writing, that is at the Canadian Language Benchmark 7 (CLB 7) level for English or is at the Niveau de compétence linguistique canadien 7 (NCLC 7) level for French, in order to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC) program.

For the English language requirement, CLB 7 is equivalent to scoring 6 on the IELTS. For the French language requirement, NCLC 7 is equivalent to scoring 309, 248, 206 and 309 on the speaking, listening, reading and writing modules of the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF), respectively. 4 points are awarded for each of the four language abilities, meaning that all candidates that meet the mandatory minimums on all language abilities will have at least 16 points.

The bulletin also states that applicants will be awarded one extra point for each language ability for which they score CLB 8 or NCLC 8 and two extra points if they score CLB 9 or NCLC 9 (for a maximum of 24 points).

The IELTS equivalent to CLB 8 is 7.5, 6.5, 6.5 and 6.5 on Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The TEF equivalent to NCLC 8 is 349, 280, 233, and 349 on Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, respectively.

The IELTS equivalent to CLB 9 is 7.5+, 6.5+, 6.5+, and 6.5+ on Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The TEF equivalent to NCLC 9 is 349+, 280+, 233+, and 349+ on Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, respectively.

Second Official Language:

The number of points awarded for proficiency in a second official language will be reduced from 8 to 4 under the new rules, making focusing on studying a single language a more viable strategy for those seeking to qualify for immigration to Canada.

276 thoughts on “New Language Requirements Under the Revised Federal Skilled Worker Program – CLB to IELTS”

  1. thank you for information and assistance, regard to your information that you have provided by Mr. Alex Khadempour if one need 20 points for language efficiency it means h/she should achieve IELTS in benchmark 8 and if one need 21 he/she have to get one extra score over 7.5 for listening or more than 6.5 for other skills so I would be grateful if you consider it.
    Thanks in advance.
    Saeid

    Reply ↓

  2. Thank you for your info.

    I took CELPIP exam and my scores are
    Speaking: 4H
    Reading: 4L
    Listening: 4L
    Writing: 3H
    Would you please let me know what would be my points in each skill based on the new FSW regulations effective from Jan 2013.

    Reply ↓

  3. CELPIP Level CLB Equivalencies Points Awarded (under FSW Class)
    Level 5 Effective Proficiency – CLB 9, 10, 11 and 12 4
    Level 4H Adequate Proficiency – CLB 8 4
    Level 4L Adequate Proficiency – CLB 7 2
    Level 3H Developing Proficiency – CLB 6 2
    Level 3L Developing Proficiency – CLB 5 1
    Level 2H Minimal Proficiency – CLB 4 1
    Level 2L Minimal Proficiency – CLB 3 0
    Level 1 No Proficiency – CLB 1 and 2 0
    Level 0 Did not attempt or insufficient information to assess 0

    Reply ↓

    • Sir I got 4 all my ielts exam. Is it valiable to go in Canada because I have applied for immigration visa in Canada. Is sufficient this score please write to me. Thank you very much

      Reply ↓

  4. Dear Consultant,

    Hello there,

    I would like to know about new NOC list (Federal Skilled) which will applicable for jan 2013 onward.

    Thanks

    shahid

    Reply ↓

  5. “The IELTS equivalent to CLB 8 is 7.5, 6.5, 6.5 and 6.5 on Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking…. The IELTS equivalent to CLB 9 is 7.5+, 6.5+, 6.5+, and 6.5+ on Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.”
    The information shows that there is no difference in CLB 8 &9, as the IELTS scores look alike in both catogories. Can any one say if I would be given 24 points or 20???
    I would prefer 24 to 20 :-).
    Is it likely that a higher IELTS score be demanded for scoring the maximum 24 points???

    Reply ↓

  6. hi. im a bit confused with the conversion. can u help me converting these scores? :
    listening 6
    reading 7.5
    writing 6.5
    speaking 6.5

    thank u so much

    Reply ↓

  7. HELLO,

    For skilled worker NOC A, the new requirement is a CLB 7 (IELTS score of 6 in each ability). Will it still quality if one of the IELTS abilities is 5 or 5.5 (CLB6) but 2 abilities is CLB 7 and the other one is CLB 8? Is there any ability that can be on CLB6 to quality?
    Thanks

    Reply ↓

  8. Thanks a lot cics for updating regarding language requirement. sir i hv a little query in the sense that will canada will award points for each module of ielts differnetly For eg. if some gets Reading – 8 , listening – 7.5 , speaking. – 6.5, writing – 6. then wld he be awarded CLB diff. for each module like may be 8 or 9 for reading and so on and. points wld be calculated for each clb ? plz update. shall be highly thankful.

    Reply ↓

    • Yes points will be awarded for each module of IELTS differently. Citizenship and Immigration Canada will award points for each language ability independently.

      Reply ↓

      • My Score is L: 7.5 , R : 6.5 , S : 6.0 , W : 6.0
        What is the score I will be getting for FSW. I mean does my listening and reading scores 5 and 5 points or in total I get 16 points only! Because getting 18 points I am Eligible and getting only 16 points does not qualify me.
        Please help me sir for confirmation.
        Thank you,
        Bharat Regmi

        Reply ↓

  9. Hi sir/Maam,
    I would like to ask regarding my ielts score because I am a bit confused about the interpratation, below is my ielts score

    listening 7.5
    reading 6.5
    writing 5.5
    speaking 7… what would be my clb if these are my score? do I have to retake my test to obtain a clb of 7 since I have 5.5?thank you..

    Reply ↓

    • Hi, yes you would need to retake the IELTS and get 6 or above on the writing portion in order to obtain a CLB of 7 on it.

      Reply ↓

  12. Hi Can anyone help me knowing how many point I will again in the new CLB conversion from IELTS since I got the beow score :

    English IELTS Score
    Listening 6.5
    Reading 5.5
    Writing 6
    Speaking 7
    Overall Band Score 6.5

    Reply ↓

  13. Hi guys, I am confused a little bit, so, the minimum language requirement for FSW program (IELTS) was L 7.5, others 6.5….The question: Is language requirement for new FSTW program decreased or remains the same….?

    Reply ↓

    • Absolute Yes. you are qualified for at least the CLB 7 because you scored above 6 in each of the language abilities

      Reply ↓

  18. my ielts score are as follows:

    listening: 5.5
    reading: 6
    writing: 7.5
    speaking: 7

    am i eligible to apply under skilled worker category? hoping for you immediate response! thank you!

    Reply ↓

  19. Dear Sir,

    For last couple of months I am confused with my current IELTS result which is 6.0 Overall, I do not know what should I do? Do I write for IELTS again? Or My current score is OK.

    Listening 6.5
    Writing 7.0
    Speaking 5.5
    Reading 5.0

    Please let me know ASAP.

    Reply ↓

    • It depends on the purpose of your doing the test. Is it for immigration on skilled work in Canada or for admission into school abroad? For Canada you need 6 points in each of the 4 language skills to qualify for the CLB 7 minimum required for skilled workers. So you need to re-take the test

      Reply ↓

  20. I got:
    writing 6.5, listening 6.0, reading 5.5 and speaking 6.5
    should I have to sit the exam again?
    pls rply asap….
    thanks

    Reply ↓

    • It depends on the purpose of your doing the test. Is it for immigration on skilled work in Canada or for admission into school abroad? For Canada you need 6 points in each of the 4 language skills to qualify for the CLB 7 minimum required for skilled workers. So you need to re-take the test

      Reply ↓

      • My ielts listening 3.5, speaking 6.5,writing 6.5 and reading is 4.5 ,am i qualify to apply for skilled worker.pls reply.

        Reply ↓

        • Hi Doyin!
          My IELS results are L-7.5 R-8.0 S-7.0 and W-7.0 (I am the Skilled Worker applicant). My wife is also taking the IELS exam because I want her to come with me to Canada but she only got L-7.5 R-5.5 S-6.5 and W-6.5, am I entitled for an additional 5 points with the score my wife got? Please reply asap. Thanks!

          Reply ↓

          • You are perfectly qualified for the Skilled worker category for Canada. Your wife needs only 4 points for each of the 4 skills for you to be graded 5 for adaptability. Congratulations in advance. Pls apply asap. I hope you have sent your credentials for assessment by the relevant authorities like the World Education service?

    • If it is for Canadian skilled worker, then you are qualified,,,but then you need to check your scores in other areas like age, education, funds, work experience. etc and be sure that your profession is listed on the Canadian FSW NOC categories.

      Reply ↓

    • For canadian immigration you need to re-take the test if you are applying under skilled worker category. You need 6 in each of the 4 Language skills

      Reply ↓

      • Yes That’s true we need to score minimum 6 in each band and IELTS scores need to be valid. What if one manage to get 6 bands in 3 disciplines and 5.5 in forth and can not apply and have to re appear and if he reappear in next IELTS he manage to score 6 or better in the one he failed to score last time but now get 5.5 in some other discipline. Can he be still eligible to apply since with 2 valid IELST reports results he scored over all 6 in all but not in alone 1 sheet. Funny but a factual valid question

        Reply ↓

  25. Hi sir/mam,
    I’m a bit confused with the IELTS to CLB conversion. So just wondering that, am I eligible if I have a overall score of 6.5 with listening -6.5, reading-6.0, writing-5.5 speaking- 7.5. And also want to know that do I need to a job offer from canadian organisation to apply for the residence.
    Please help with this.

    thanks
    Shashi

    Reply ↓

    • It depends on the purpose of your doing the test. Is it for immigration on skilled work in Canada or for admission into school abroad? For Canada you need 6 points in each of the 4 language skills to qualify for the CLB 7 minimum required for skilled workers. So you need to re-take the test

      Reply ↓

  26. IELTS CLB 7 score points work individual or overall. I mean If i didnt get score in one module then I didnt get point for but I pass the score 67 then

    Reply ↓

    • You are required to get at least CLB 7 in each language module in order to be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker program.

      Reply ↓

      • Please the immigration service should update it’s website with a notice stating explicitly that a minimum of 6.0 is needed in every aspect of the test in order to qualify.

        Reply ↓

          • Dear Sir,

            Below is the CLB score list..
            NOC CLB Test results for each ability
            Levels Speaking Listening Reading Writing
            0,A 8 6.5 7.5 6.5 6.5
            0,A 7 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
            0,A,B 6 5.5 5.5 5.0 5.5
            B 5 5.0 5.0 4.0 5.0
            B 4 4.0 4.5 3.5 4.0

            For occupations of skill type 0 or skill level A, you must have either all your scores at CLB level 7 or you are allowed to have one at CLB 6 if you have one at CLB 8. Your score is not good enough for this.

            For occupations of skill level B, you must have either all your scores at CLB 5 or higher or if one score is at CLB 4 and another at 6 or higher, that is also ok. This is not a problem for you.
            ______________________________________________________

            Now Sir, I got my IELTS results today..
            Interested in Canada Express Entry..
            NOC A/O or NOC B (Not yet decided as have not checked it thoroughly)
            My profession, I am a Technical Support Engineer..

            Now my results are:
            Listening – 6
            Reading – 5.5
            Writing – 7
            Speaking – 6.5

            Overall score is 6.5

            Am I eligible for express Entry only wrt IELTS scores acc to your post, I think I am eligible. But here people say that 6 is mandatory to score in each module.I am confused. Please help.Thank you..

            Regards,
            Kumar

  27. hi
    My score reading 5 writing 6, listening 6 speaking 7……i FALL IN NOC B CATEGORY AM I ELIGIBLE FOR FSWC AND i HAD SEMI SKILLED NOC C FOOD COUNTER ATTENDENT IN ALBERTA DO U THINK I’LL GET EXTRA 10 POINTS

    THANKS

    Reply ↓

    • It depends on the purpose of your doing the test. Is it for immigration on skilled work in Canada or for admission into school abroad? For Canada you need 6 points in each of the 4 language skills to qualify for the CLB 7 minimum required for skilled workers. So you need to re-take the test

      Reply ↓

  28. I am in the US since 2 years as a student, basically from india. Do I need to submit
    IELTS? I cleared IELTS before coming to US which was expired few months ago.

    thanks
    vijay

    Reply ↓

  29. Hi ,
    this is vijay. I have graduated in USA and currently in US . I am planning to apply for skilled worker program. Do I need to fulfill language requirements. I am basically from India. But in US since 2 years.

    thank you
    vijay

    Reply ↓

  30. Dear Sir,
    I want to know about which module of ielts (Academic module or General module)
    will be needed for Federal Skilled Worker Program.

    Please inform me.
    Thanks

    Reply ↓

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