Canada Immigration Now Accepts PTE Core

The IRCC has announced that PTE Core is now eligible for Canada immigration.

According to the latest update from IRCC, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Core) language test by Pearson Canada Inc. is now approved for Canadian immigration, starting January 30, 2024. Additionally, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada will now acknowledge electronic versions of language test results.

Nevertheless, the PTE Core will not meet the requirements for the Canadian Study Visa or Permit under the Student Direct Stream (SDS). PTE Core is exclusively applicable to permanent residency and economic immigration programs.
As of August 10, 2023, PTE Academic, in its basic form, remains acceptable for SDS study visas and permits, along with three newly introduced English proficiency exams.

Economic programs include:

  • Express Entry categories
  • 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

Language Equivalency Chart for PTE Core

Language Equivalency Chart for PTE Core
CLB level 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

PTE Core test requirement for Express Entry

  • Express Entry FSWP Language Requirements:
    • CLB 7 in all four abilities is required for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) of Express Entry.
    • Each IELTS module must have a minimum score of six bands to qualify for the FSWP.
  • PTE Core Scores for Express Entry FSWP Eligibility:
    • Reading: 60–68
    • Writing: 69–78
    • Listening: 60–70
    • Speaking: 68–75
  • IELTS “8 Triple 7” Magic Number Equivalent in PTE:
    • Listening: 82–88
    • Writing: 88–89
    • Reading: 78–87
    • Speaking: 84–88
  • Express Entry FSTP Language Requirement:
    • CLB level 5 is the minimum language requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) in Express Entry.
  • PTE Equivalent Scores for CLB Level 5:
    • Reading: 42–50
    • Writing: 51–59
    • Listening: 39–49
    • Speaking: 51–58

To find out if you’re eligible for immigration to Canada, simply complete our free assessment! A member of the ITC Immigration Team will review your eligibility and contact you to discuss your options!

PTE Core score requirement for Canadian Experience Class (CEC):

PTE Core score requirement for Express Entry Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
CLB level PTE Scores IELTS Scores
CLB Level 7 for TEER 0 or TEER 1 jobs 60–68 in reading, 69–78 in writing, 60–70 in listening, and 68–75 in speaking 6 in each module
CLB Level 5 for TEER 2 or TEER 3 jobs 42–50 in reading, 51–59 in writing, 39–49 in listening, and 51–58 in speaking 4 in reading and 5 each in rest of the modules

Which examinations evaluating English language proficiency are recognized for Canadian immigration?

The approved English language proficiency exams for Canadian immigration include:

  1. IELTS (International English Language Testing System) General Training
  2. CELPIP (Canadian English Language Competency Index Program) General Test
  3. Pearson Test of English (PTE Core) language test from Pearson Canada Inc.

To find out if you’re eligible for immigration to Canada, simply complete our free assessment! A member of the ITC Immigration Team will review your eligibility and contact you to discuss your options!

Do you want to have detailed updated information about your visa file?

You can apply for GCMS Report to recieve detailed information about your file; and/or Recieve copy of your file is in process in the IRCC

To find out if you’re eligible for immigration to Canada, simply complete our free assessment! A member of the ITC Immigration Team will review your eligibility and contact you to discuss your options!

Do you want to have detailed updated information about your visa file?

You can apply for GCMS Report to recieve detailed information about your file; and/or Recieve copy of your file is in process in the IRCC