Immigration Announcement
IRCC New Update on Pearson Test of English Core Acceptance for Canada Immigration

Effective January 30, 2024, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) now officially accepts the PTE in Canada as a valid language proficiency test. This marks a significant step towards improved accessibility for Canadian immigration candidates.
Updated Key Insights: Pearson Test of English (PTE)
- Electronic Copies Welcomed – The latest update also introduces the acceptance of electronic copies of PTE Core language test results, streamlining the submission process for applicants.
- Not for Study Visas – It’s crucial to note that while PTE Core gains recognition for permanent residency and economic immigration programs, it is not applicable for the Canadian Study Visa or Permit under the Student Direct Stream (SDS).
- Programs Covered – Economic immigration programs encompass a wide range of categories, including Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), Caregivers, Agri-Food Pilot, Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), Economic Mobility Pathways Project (EMPP), Atlantic Immigration Program, Quebec Skilled Workers, and Business Class.
PTE Core Language Equivalency Chart
For a clearer understanding of language proficiency levels, refer to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels for PTE Core in the following tabular format:
CLB Levels | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
10 | 88-90 | 90 | 89-90 | 89-90 |
9 | 78-87 | 88-89 | 82-88 | 84-88 |
8 | 69-77 | 79-87 | 71-81 | 76-83 |
7 | 60-68 | 69-78 | 60-70 | 68-75 |
6 | 51-59 | 60-68 | 50-59 | 59-67 |
5 | 42-50 | 51-59 | 39-49 | 51-58 |
4 | 33-41 | 41-50 | 28-38 | 42-50 |
3 | 24-32 | 32-40 | 18-27 | 34-41 |
To ensure the authenticity of test results, Pearson’s online Score Report Website (SRW) will be used for result validation.
Express Entry Requirements – FSWP and CEC
For those eyeing the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) within Express Entry, meeting a minimum language level of CLB 7 across all four abilities is essential.
Specifically, PTE Core scores of:
- 60–68 in reading;
- 69–78 in writing;
- 60–70 in listening and;
- 68–75 in speaking aligns with Express Entry FSWP eligibility.
Drawing a parallel to the widely recognized IELTS in Canada, achieving a CLB 8 triple 7 requirement translates to PTE Core scores of 82–88 in listening, 88–89 in writing, 78–87 in reading, and 84–88 in speaking.
For the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) within Express Entry, here are the specific PTE Core score requirements aligned with CLB levels:
CLB Level 7 for TEER 0 or TEER 1 jobs
- Reading: 60–68
- Writing: 69–78
- Listening: 60–70
- Speaking: 68–75
- IELTS Scores: 6 in each module
CLB Level 5 for TEER 2 or TEER 3 jobs:
- Reading: 42–50
- Writing: 51–59
- Listening: 39–49
- Speaking: 51–58
- IELTS Scores: 4 in reading and 5 each in the remaining modules
Stay ahead in the immigration game by reading the latest eligibility for PTE in Canada. For more updates and insights, keep following Canada Immigration News.