Language proof for Canadian citizenship: CLB 4, speaking and listening, and old results still count
If you are 18 to 54 on the day you apply, Canada asks you to prove you can speak and listen in English or French at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 or higher. Reading and writing are not assessed. You send the proof with the application, and IRCC says that if it is missing, unreadable, or in another language without a certified translation, it returns the whole application unprocessed.
Everything below was read on 14 October 2026: section 14 of the Citizenship Regulations (SOR/93-246) and section 2(1)(g) of the Citizenship Regulations, No. 2 (SOR/2015-124) on laws-lois.justice.gc.ca, and IRCC's own five-step language-proof pages on canada.ca. How Canada compares with the others, 65 countries in all, is in citizenship language requirements by country.
What the law says, and where CLB 4 comes from
Section 14 of the Citizenship Regulations says a person has an adequate knowledge of English or French if they show competence in basic communication: taking part in short, routine conversations about everyday topics, understanding simple instructions and directions, using basic grammar in oral communication, and using vocabulary adequate for routine oral communication. All four are about speaking and listening, and no benchmark appears in the text.
Who must show it is in the Citizenship Regulations, No. 2, section 2(1)(g): an applicant at least 18 years of age but … under 55 years of age on the day on which their application is made. CLB 4 is IRCC's published standard for meeting section 14, stated on its own page: If you're 18 to 54 years of age, you must submit proof that you can speak and listen at the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) Level 4 or higher in English or French.
So the age that counts is your age on the day you apply, not on the day of the test or the oath.
Route 1: you studied in English or French
IRCC's first question is whether you completed, or are attending, a secondary or post-secondary programme taught in English or French, and it says the programme can be in or outside Canada. The proof is a diploma, transcript or certificate.
If the document is in another language, add a certified English or French translation, and the translation should show that the language of instruction was English or French. A degree certificate that does not say so is the usual reason this route fails.
Route 2: a language test, and the scores IRCC accepts
IRCC lists the tests it accepts and the score in listening and speaking for each. Reading and writing scores are not part of it.
IRCC asks for these results even if they are expired. Its own wording, under every test: include a copy of your test results (even if they're expired). Immigration programmes usually want recent results; citizenship, on IRCC's page, does not.
IELTS Academic is refused. IRCC: We only accept IELTS General Training for citizenship applications. If you only have Academic results, you need another proof.
French candidates have more options than English ones. Besides TEF Canada and TCF Canada, IRCC accepts the Quebec versions (TEFAQ, TCFQ), the TEF Intégration, Résidence et Nationalité that France uses for its own naturalisation, a DELF at B1 or above, and any DALF result.
- CELPIP-General or CELPIP-General LS (from 1 Apr 2014)4 or higher in listening and speakingbefore 1 Apr 2014: 2H or higher
- IELTS General Training (from 28 Nov 2008)listening 4.5, speaking 4.0on or before 27 Nov 2008: 4.0 in both
- PTE Corelistening 28, speaking 42
- TEF Canada, TEFAQ, TEF IRN, TCF Canada, TCFQB1 or higher in listening and speakingTEF Canada before 1 Jul 2012: level 3 or higher
- DELFB1 or higher
- DALFall results accepted
Route 3: government-funded classes (LINC or CLIC)
If you completed LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) or its French counterpart CLIC, the training counts when it shows CLB 4 or higher in speaking and listening.
Training on or after 1 November 2012: send a copy of the certificate. Training between January 2008 and October 2012: tick the box on the application and IRCC says it verifies it electronically.
Route 4: a provincial programme, in six provinces
IRCC accepts results from provincial programmes in six provinces, each with its own document:
British Columbia: an ELSA report card or certificate at CLB 4 or higher, and IRCC adds that it accepts only ELSA results there. Saskatchewan: a Statement of Student Language Proficiency from the Ministry of Education at CFR level B1 or above. Manitoba: the Manitoba Canadian Language Benchmark Report or an Adult EAL progress report at CLB/NCLC 4 in speaking and listening. Nova Scotia: the PENS learner certificate at CLB 4.
Ontario: a certificate from the Adult Non-Credit Language Training Programs (ESL/ALS, FSL/FLS, or Citizenship and Language Training), dated December 2013 or later, at CLB 4 in speaking and listening. Quebec: a MIFI bulletin at level 4 or higher on the Échelle québécoise in oral interaction, or in listening and speaking for bulletins after 16 October 2012, or a MEES relevé des apprentissages at level 4 in speaking and listening.
If none of these apply yet
IRCC's last step is plain: book a test, or take the government-funded language classes. Our reading: since only speaking and listening count, preparation that is mostly conversation is the efficient kind. A learner who reads well but has rarely spoken English or French under time pressure is the one most at risk at CLB 4.
The citizenship test on Canada's history, values and institutions is a separate requirement for the same 18 to 54 age range. We compare it with other countries' tests in citizenship tests compared.
Mistakes worth avoiding
Sending IELTS Academic results.
Sending IELTS General Training, or another accepted proof.
IRCC's page says it only accepts IELTS General Training for citizenship applications.
Re-sitting a test because the old result is more than two years old.
Checking the old result against IRCC's score table first.
IRCC asks applicants to include accepted test results even if they are expired.
Sending a foreign degree certificate that does not show the language of teaching.
Adding a document, or a certified translation, that shows the programme was taught in English or French.
The education route depends on the language of instruction, and IRCC says the translation should show it.
Applying first and sending the language proof later.
Including the proof with the application.
IRCC says it returns the entire application if the proof is not included.
Questions
What language level do I need for Canadian citizenship?
Applicants aged 18 to 54 on the day they apply must show Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 or higher in speaking and listening, in English or French. The regulation itself (section 14, SOR/93-246) describes the level in words, as competence in basic communication, and CLB 4 is IRCC's published standard for meeting it. Read 14 October 2026.
Can I use an expired IELTS or CELPIP result for Canadian citizenship?
Yes, if the scores are high enough. IRCC's language-proof page tells applicants to include a copy of their test results even if they are expired. For IELTS it must be General Training (listening 4.5, speaking 4.0 for tests from 28 November 2008); for CELPIP, 4 or higher in listening and speaking for tests from 1 April 2014.
Do I need a language test if I studied in English or French?
Not if you send proof of a secondary or post-secondary programme taught in English or French, completed or in progress, in or outside Canada: a diploma, transcript or certificate. If it is in another language, add a certified translation that shows the language of instruction.
Does Canada test reading and writing for citizenship?
No. Section 14 of the Citizenship Regulations describes only oral communication, and IRCC's proof requirement names speaking and listening only.
Who is exempt from the Canadian citizenship language requirement?
Applicants under 18 or aged 55 or over on the day they apply do not have to send language proof. Section 2(1)(g) of the Citizenship Regulations, No. 2 requires it from applicants at least 18 and under 55 on that day.
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