You've lived in Canada for years, you have your permanent residence, and now you're ready to become a Canadian citizen. For many people, the next question is: do I need to take an English test? And if so, which one, and what score do you need?
This guide explains the language requirement for Canadian citizenship in plain English, and how CELPIP fits in.
Do you need to prove your English for citizenship?
If you are between 18 and 54 years old on the day you sign your citizenship application, you need to show that you can speak and listen in English or French at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher.
You don't need to prove your reading or writing for this requirement. It's only about speaking and listening.
If you are under 18 or 55 or older, you don't need to send proof of language ability.
What counts as proof of language ability?
You don't always need a new test. IRCC accepts several kinds of proof, including:
- Results from an approved language test, such as CELPIP-General, CELPIP-General LS, IELTS General Training, TEF Canada or TCF Canada.
- A diploma or certificate from a secondary or post-secondary program that was taught in English or French, in Canada or abroad.
- Proof that you reached CLB 4 or higher in speaking and listening in certain government-funded language training programs, such as LINC in English or CLIC in French.
If you finished high school or college in English, or you completed LINC at CLB 4 or higher, you might not need to take a test at all. If you don't have one of those documents, a language test is usually the simplest option.
What CELPIP score do you need for citizenship?
You need CLB 4 or higher in Listening and Speaking. Because CELPIP levels match CLB levels one to one, that means:
| Skill | CELPIP level you need |
|---|---|
| Listening | 4 or higher |
| Speaking | 4 or higher |
| Reading | Not required |
| Writing | Not required |
CLB 4 is a basic level. At CLB 4, you can take part in short, everyday conversations about familiar topics, understand simple instructions, and talk about your needs and experiences in simple sentences. If you've been living and working in English in Canada, you may already be at this level or higher.
CELPIP-General LS: the shorter test for citizenship
CELPIP has a special version of the test for citizenship: CELPIP-General LS. It tests only Listening and Speaking, the two skills you need. It's much shorter than the full test.
| CELPIP-General | CELPIP-General LS | |
|---|---|---|
| Skills tested | Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking | Listening and Speaking only |
| Accepted for citizenship | Yes | Yes |
| Accepted for permanent residence | Yes | No |
| Length | About 3 hours | About half as long |
Which one should you choose? If you only need proof for citizenship, CELPIP-General LS is usually the better choice. If you might also need a full test result for something else, like a job or a school that asks for all four skills, the full CELPIP-General covers everything.
If you already took CELPIP-General for permanent residence and scored CLB 4 or higher in Listening and Speaking, check whether IRCC will accept those results. You may not need to take another test.
Practice Speaking for your citizenship test
Record timed answers to test-style Speaking tasks and get your estimated level with simple tips to improve.
What's on the Listening and Speaking tests?
The Listening and Speaking sections in CELPIP-General LS are the same as in the full test.
Listening has six parts with everyday conversations, a news report, a video discussion and people sharing opinions. You hear each recording once and answer multiple-choice questions. Learn more in our Listening overview and our CELPIP Listening tips.
Speaking has eight short tasks, like giving advice, telling a story from your life and describing a picture. You prepare for 30 to 60 seconds and then speak to the computer for 60 to 90 seconds. See our CELPIP Speaking tips and free lessons like Giving Advice.
How to prepare for CLB 4
CLB 4 is very achievable with some focused practice. The most important things are knowing the test format and feeling comfortable with the timing.
- Learn the format. Know what each Listening part and Speaking task looks like, so nothing surprises you. Our guide to the CELPIP test format covers everything.
- Practice speaking out loud with a timer. Many people freeze the first time they speak to a computer. Practicing with a timer at home makes it feel normal.
- Always say something. In Speaking, a short, simple answer is much better than silence. Answer the question, give one or two reasons, and use the whole time if you can.
- Take notes in Listening. Write down names, numbers and decisions as you listen.
- Stay calm. You don't need perfect English for CLB 4. You need to understand everyday situations and communicate your ideas clearly.
Tips for the Speaking test at CLB 4
At CLB 4, raters want to see that you can communicate simple ideas clearly. You don't need long, complex answers. A simple structure works well for every task:
- Answer the question in your first sentence. For example: "I think you should take the bus to work."
- Give one or two reasons, each with a small detail. "It's cheaper than parking, and the bus stop is close to your house."
- Finish with a short ending. "So I think the bus is a good choice for you."
Speak slowly and clearly. If you don't know a word, explain the idea with simpler words. It's completely fine to use short sentences, as long as they answer the question.
After the language requirement: the citizenship test
Proof of language is only one part of becoming a citizen. If you're between 18 and 54, you'll also need to pass the citizenship test, which checks your knowledge of Canada's history, geography, government and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. The official study guide is free on the Government of Canada website. The citizenship test is separate from CELPIP.
Frequently asked questions
What CELPIP score do I need for Canadian citizenship?
CLB 4 or higher in Listening and Speaking. With CELPIP, that means a level of 4 or higher in each of those two skills.
Is CELPIP-General LS accepted for citizenship?
Yes. CELPIP-General LS was designed for citizenship and tests only Listening and Speaking. It is not accepted for permanent residence.
Do I need a language test if I'm 55 or older?
No. If you're 55 or older on the day you sign your application, you don't need to send proof of language ability.
Can I use my high school diploma instead of a test?
Possibly. IRCC accepts diplomas and certificates from programs taught in English or French. Check the official list of accepted documents before you apply.
Is CLB 4 hard to get?
For most people who use English in daily life, CLB 4 is very achievable. The main challenge is getting used to the test format and speaking to a computer under time pressure.