IRCC
Language benchmark reference matrix
IRCC equivalencies between Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) / Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) and approved test results. Pick a skill, then click a level to highlight it.
French · work permit
Mobilité Francophone: NCLC 5 in listening and speaking (TCF Canada listening 369–397, speaking 6).
French Leap
English · CEC, trades & PNP
Canadian Experience Class (TEER 2–3), Federal Skilled Trades (speaking & listening) and intermediate PNP streams: CELPIP 5 or IELTS General 5.0.
CLB 5 Ready
French or English · Express Entry
French category draws and the Federal Skilled Worker minimum: TCF listening 458–502 / speaking 10–11, or CELPIP 7 / IELTS 6.0.
Objectif NCLC 7 · Northbound
| NCLC / CLB | TCF Canada / 699 | CELPIP-General | IELTS General | Portal app |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 331–368 | 4 | 4.5 | |
| 5NCLC 5 · Mobilité FrancophoneCLB 5 · CEC TEER 2–3 / FSTP | 369–397 | 5 | 5.0 | French Leap · CLB 5 Ready |
| 6 | 398–457 | 6 | 5.5 | |
| 7NCLC / CLB 7 · Express Entry | 458–502 | 7 | 6.0 | Objectif NCLC 7 · Northbound |
| 8 | 503–522 | 8 | 7.5 | |
| 9 | 523–548 | 9 | 8.0 | |
| 10+ | 549–699 | 10–12 | 8.5+ |
TCF Canada listening and reading are scored out of 699; speaking and writing out of 20. CELPIP levels map one-to-one to CLB. Equivalencies change occasionally — confirm on canada.ca before you book.