IRCC Update: PTE Core Is Now Eligible For Canada Immigration

Last Updated On 31 January 2024, 10:10 AM EST (Toronto Time)

As per the official new IRCC update, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Core) language test from Pearson Canada Inc. is now acceptable for Canadian immigration, effective January 30, 2024.

Furthermore, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada will now also be accepting electronic copies of the language test results.

However, PTE Core will not be acceptable for the Canadian Study Visa or Permit under the Student Direct Stream (SDS).

Readers frequently confuse this with the PTE Academic test for the SDS (Student Direct Stream) study permit or visa; however, PTE Core is only available for permanent residency and economic immigration programs.

Simple PTE Academic is still valid for SDS study visas and permits as of August 10, 2023, along with three additional new English proficiency examinations.

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

The Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels for immigration to Canada are used to assess English competence.

Below are the official IRCC CLB levels for the new PTE Core Language Test:

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 CLB Levels

Test results will be validated using Pearson’s online Score Report Website (SRW).

Click here for detailed Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels for Canadian immigration.

PTE Core test requirement for Express Entry

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) of Express Entry requires a minimum language level of CLB 7 in all four abilities. To qualify for the FSWP, each IELTS module must have six bands.

So, PTE Core scores of 60–68 in reading, 69–78 in writing, 60–70 in listening, and 68–75 in speaking are needed to meet the eligibility requirement for Express Entry FSWP.

The PTE equivalent score for the IELTS magic number of “8 triple 7” (eight in listening and seven in the remaining modules) is 82–88 in listening, 88–89 in writing, 78–87 in reading, and 84–88 in speaking.

Similarly, CLB level 5 is the minimum language requirement for FSTP Express Entry.

As a result, the probable PTE equivalent score for CLB level 5 is 42–50 in reading, 51–59 in writing, 39–49 in listening, and 51–58 in speaking.

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

PTE Core and IELTS comparison for CEC

What English language competency tests are acceptable for Canadian immigration?

The acceptable English language competency exams for Canadian immigration are:

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.