Skilled foreign workers who want to immigrate to Canada as new permanent residents are generally required to show that they have a certain level of proficiency in English or French, the two official languages of Canada.
Proficiency levels of English or French required will depend on the particular Canadian immigration program.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam is one of the language evaluation tests that are authorized by the Canadian government as a way to assess the English proficiency level of applicants for immigration to Canada.
Many people want to know: Can you immigrate to Canada without IELTS exam results?
This article will discuss the IELTS exam and how to immigrate to Canada without IELTS exam results, so continue reading to learn more!
Table of Contents
What Is IELTS?
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam was developed in 1989 as a standardized test for assessing English language proficiency.
The IELTS exam is used primarily for individuals around the world who want to move to an English-speaking country (such as Canada) as an international student, temporary foreign worker or immigrant (i.e., permanent resident).
There are two types of IELTS exams:
- General Training Exam
- Academic Exam
If someone wants to immigrate to Canada as a skilled foreign worker and have their English language proficiency evaluated using the IELTS exam, the General Training Exam will usually be the type of IELTS test that is taken.
Both the IELTS General Training Exam and the Academic Exam evaluate English proficiency and give scores for:
- Listening
- Speaking
- Reading
- Writing
The IELTS exam can be taken on the computer or using a paper test at 4,000 IELTS testing centers located in 140 countries around the globe.
Results from the IELTS exam taken by computer are normally made available after 3-5 days, while the results from the paper version of the IELTS exam are usually made available after 13 days.
For Canadian immigration purposes, the results (i.e., scores) from the IELTS exam must be less than two years old to be valid.
It is generally recommended to prepare for the IELTS exam before taking it, since becoming familiar with the text format can often help a person to achieve a higher score compared with someone who takes the IELTS exam without advanced preparation.
How to Apply for Canadian Immigration without IELTS?
Many people want to know: Can you immigrate to Canada without IELTS exam results?
The answer is: Yes!
Most skilled foreign workers who apply for immigration to Canada and have their English language proficiency evaluated choose to take the IELTS General Training Exam.
If you do not want to take the IELTS General Training Exam for Canadian immigration purposes, there is an option to take another authorized English evaluation test known as the Canadian English Language Proficiency Program (CELPIP) General Test.
Alternatively, in the event that you have good French language skills, you could take the TEF Canada exam (Test d’évaluation de français) or the TCF Canada exam (Test de connaissance du français).
Minimum IELTS Score Requirements
Various Canadian immigration programs have different minimum IELTS score requirements.
The points-based Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) requires that a skilled foreign worker achieve at least an IELTS General Training Exam score of 6.0 for Speaking, 6.0 – 7.0 for Listening, 6.0 for Reading and 6.0 for Writing, which would result in 4 points being given for each of these four categories for a total of 16 points toward the minimum 67 points required for the FSWP.
Keep in mind that getting an IELTS exam score that is higher than the minimum requirement can result is more points being earned (up to a maximum of 24 points) toward the 67 out of 100 points that the FSWP requires.
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) requires a lower IELTS General Training Exam score of at least 5.0 for Listening, 5.0 for Speaking, 3.5 for Reading and 4.0 for Writing (the FSTP does not use a points system like the FSWP).
The 11 Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) have their own minimum IELTS score requirements.
Working in Canada Without IELTS
Skilled foreign workers can get Canada PR without IELTS exam results by getting the required score for English on the Canadian English Language Proficiency Program (CELPIP) General Test instead.
Another way for a skilled foreign worker to immigrate to Canada without IELTS exam results is to get the required score for French on the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF – Canada) or the Test de connaissance du français (TCF – Canada).
A temporary foreign worker can work in Canada without IELTS exam results by applying for a temporary work permit through the Canadian Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program, however, he or she will need to satisfy the requirements for English or French for the job they will perform as stated in the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) that the employer receives from Canada’s government. This could be done by an interview with the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) officer at the port of entry. Alternatively, if the temporary foreign worker does not want to take the IELTS exam, he or she could try to get the required score on the Canadian English Language Proficiency Program (CELPIP) General Test. In the event that the job in Canada requires French language skills, the temporary foreign worker could take the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF – Canada) or the Test de connaissance du français (TCF – Canada).
Study in Canada Without IELTS
International students must receive a Letter of Acceptance from a designated learning institution in Canada in order to apply for a Canadian study permit.
As part of the application process to a designated post-secondary learning institution in Canada, an international student will normally need to demonstrate that he or she has the proficiency level of English or French required by the educational institution.
Many Canadian colleges and universities confirm an international student’s English language proficiency level with the IELTS exam, however, there are some that allow scores to be used from other English language evaluation tests or they may use other methods to verify an applicant’s English language abilities.
For international students whose English or French language levels do not satisfy the requirements of the Canadian designated post-secondary learning institution, there is often an option to take an intensive English or French language course in order to meet the necessary standard prior to the start of the regular course of study.
How Can I Simplify the Immigration Process?
You can simplify the immigration process for Canada by educating yourself about the various Canadian immigration programs, requirements and procedures.
The Canadian Visa Expert website has a wealth of information about immigration to Canada (such as this article you are reading).
Furthermore, Canadian Visa Expert works with authorized immigration consultants who can evaluate your eligibility for immigration to Canada so you will know which Canadian immigration program you are qualified to apply for.
The authorized immigration consultants who collaborate with Canadian Visa Expert can also guide you step-by-step through the application procedure, to simplify the immigration process for you and your family, make sure your forms are filed correctly and answer questions you may have about your specific case.
Conclusion
It is possible for skilled foreign workers to immigrate to Canada without IELTS exam results, by receiving the required scores on the CELPIP General Test for English, or achieving the necessary scores on the TEF – Canada or TCF – Canada exams.
Keep in mind that family members can get Canada PR without IELTS or other test results, however, some Canadian immigration programs will award points if a spouse/partner can receive a certain score on an approved language evaluation exam, such as the IELTS or CELPIP for English and the TEF – Canada or TCF – Canada for French.
Advanced preparation for the IELTS or other approved language evaluation exam is recommended, since becoming familiar with the test format can help a person to achieve a higher exam score.
If you are thinking about applying for immigration to Canada, but are not sure where to start, don’t worry!
Since 2012, Canadian Visa Expert has been working with a team of authorized immigration consultants who can assess your eligibility for immigration to Canada and guide you through each step of the application process if you qualify, to make the process easier for you to complete correctly.
The first step is to receive your eligibility assessment.
START YOUR PROCESS NOW!
Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support
How can I relocate to Canada without IELTS?
A person can relocate to Canada without IELTS exam results by achieving the required scores on an alternative evaluation test for English (such as the CELPIP General Test) or an evaluation exam for French (such as the TEF – Canada or TCF – Canada). Another way to relocate to Canada without IELTS exam results is to apply for a Canadian temporary work permit through the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program, however, the foreign worker will need to prove that he or she has the English or French language skills required for the job in Canada as stated in the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). One more way to relocate to Canada without IELTS test scores is as an international student (you will need to satisfy the designated learning institution’s criteria for English or French language proficiency, but there are often non-IELTS options available).
What is the easiest way to immigrate to Canada?
The easiest ways to immigrate to Canada as a skilled foreign worker is through the Express Entry system. There are three Canadian immigration programs that qualify for Express Entry to Canada: the points-based Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP); the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP); and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program. Applicants who apply for immigration to Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) have the option to use the Express Entry system or the ‘traditional’ PNP application method. In order to apply for Express Entry immigration to Canada, a skilled foreign worker will need to create an Express Entry online profile and satisfy the eligibility requirements for the FSWP, FSTP, CEC or PNP. An Invitation to Apply (ITA) must be received before the application for Canadian permanent residency can be filed. A decision is usually made in six months or less after the Canadian permanent residency application has been correctly filed using the Express Entry system.
How can I move to Canada without an English test?
International students may have the option to move to Canada without an English test if they get accepted to certain designated learning institutions that don’t require an English exam for admission or if the foreign student has the option to take an intensive English or French language course prior to the start of the regular study program. Foreign workers may be able to move to Canada without an English test by applying for a temporary work permit through the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program, however, they will need to demonstrate that they have the English or French language skills required for the job in Canada as stated in the Labor Market Impact Assessment (this could possibly be done during an interview with the CBSA officer or by other means). Family members (such as a spouse/partner and dependent children) can move to Canada without an English test.
Is IELTS very difficult?
The IELTS exam can be difficult, since it is a long standardized test that evaluates a person’s English language proficiency in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Preparing for the IELTS exam in advance, however, can make it easier to complete by becoming familiar with the test format and can result in achieving higher IELTS exam scores.
Can I get Canada PR without IELTS?
It is possible to get Canada PR without IELTS exam results. A skilled foreign worker can take the CELPIP General Test instead of the IELTS exam to evaluate his or her English proficiency level. If a person’s primary language is French, then he or she could take the TEF – Canada or TCF – Canada tests. Family members, such as a spouse/partner and dependent children, can immigrate to Canada without IELTS or other language evaluation test results.
