Yes. IRCC accepts PTE Core as one of three English tests for Express Entry, alongside CELPIP-General and IELTS General Training, and it also accepts PTE Core for citizenship and the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP); PTE Academic is not on these lists. IRCC's Express Entry language testing page is specific about the version: "You must take the PTE Core option."
So you can use PTE Core for Canada PR. The harder question is how much PTE Core score is required, because IRCC converts each of your four skill scores into a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level and checks them one by one. If you're new to the test, start with what PTE Core is.
Where PTE Core is accepted in Canada
| Use | PTE Core accepted? | Minimum level | Minimum PTE Core scores |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) | Yes | CLB 7 in all four abilities | Speaking 68, Listening 60, Reading 60, Writing 69 |
| Express Entry: Canadian Experience Class (CEC), TEER 0 or 1 job | Yes | CLB 7 in all four | Speaking 68, Listening 60, Reading 60, Writing 69 |
| Express Entry: CEC, TEER 2 or 3 job | Yes | CLB 5 in all four | Speaking 51, Listening 39, Reading 42, Writing 51 |
| Express Entry: Federal Skilled Trades (FST) | Yes | CLB 5 speaking and listening, CLB 4 reading and writing | Speaking 51, Listening 39, Reading 33, Writing 41 |
| Citizenship (ages 18 to 54) | Yes | CLB 4 in speaking and listening | Listening 28, Speaking 42 |
| PGWP after a university degree | Yes | CLB 7 in all four | Speaking 68, Listening 60, Reading 60, Writing 69 |
| PGWP after a college, polytechnic or other non-university program | Yes | CLB 5 in all four | Speaking 51, Listening 39, Reading 42, Writing 51 |
| Other work permits | No official IRCC test list found | Check the permit's own instructions | Not stated |
The PTE Core scores in the last column are the bottom of each CLB band in IRCC's conversion table below.
How much PTE Core score is required for Canada PR
There's no single PTE Core score for Canada PR. It depends on your Express Entry program and, for CEC, on the TEER category of your job, per IRCC's Express Entry language test page:
- Federal Skilled Worker: CLB 7 in all four abilities, so at least Speaking 68, Listening 60, Reading 60 and Writing 69. The FSW page is clear that one ability below CLB 7 makes you ineligible.
- Canadian Experience Class: CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs; CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs.
- Federal Skilled Trades: CLB 5 for speaking and listening, CLB 4 for reading and writing.
These are eligibility minimums. Higher CLB levels earn more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, covered below.
PTE Core to CLB chart
IRCC publishes the conversion on its Express Entry language testing page. The CLB 4 row for reading and writing is taken from IRCC's PGWP language results page.
| CLB level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 and above | 89+ | 89+ | 88+ | 90+ |
| 9 | 84–88 | 82–88 | 78–87 | 88–89 |
| 8 | 76–83 | 71–81 | 69–77 | 79–87 |
| 7 | 68–75 | 60–70 | 60–68 | 69–78 |
| 6 | 59–67 | 50–59 | 51–59 | 60–68 |
| 5 | 51–58 | 39–49 | 42–50 | 51–59 |
| 4 | 42–50 | 28–38 | 33–41 | 41–50 |
The bands aren't the same width across skills. CLB 7 starts at 60 for listening and reading but at 68 for speaking and 69 for writing, so a flat target such as "65 in everything" would leave you at CLB 6 in speaking and writing. Pearson's PTE Core scoring page shows the same bands. For a study-oriented version of this chart with targets per level, see our PTE Core score targets and CLB levels lesson. If CLB itself is new to you, read what CLB is.
Your overall PTE Core score isn't converted to CLB
PTE Core reports an overall score and four skill scores, all on a 10 to 90 scale. IRCC uses only the four skill scores. Pearson's Help Centre says IRCC "only requires individual skill scores: your overall PTE score will not be required and cannot be converted into CLB."
The overall score also isn't a simple average of the four. Pearson's PTE Core Score Guide says "the overall score is not an average calculation of the communicative skills scores", and explains that some tasks are integrated, meaning they count towards two skills at once. A strong overall score can still hide one skill that falls below the CLB level you need. Our lesson on which tasks count for which skills maps this out.
CRS points for each CLB level
Meeting the language minimum is one of the eligibility requirements; your rank in the pool then depends on CRS points, and language is scored per ability. These are the points for your first official language, per ability, from IRCC's CRS criteria page:
| CLB level (per ability) | With a spouse or partner | Without a spouse or partner |
|---|---|---|
| Below CLB 4 | 0 | 0 |
| CLB 4 or 5 | 6 | 6 |
| CLB 6 | 8 | 9 |
| CLB 7 | 16 | 17 |
| CLB 8 | 22 | 23 |
| CLB 9 | 29 | 31 |
| CLB 10 or more | 32 | 34 |
The jump from CLB 6 to CLB 7 roughly doubles the points per ability, and each skill is counted separately, so every skill you lift past most band boundaries adds points on its own (CLB 4 and CLB 5 score the same).
Is PTE Core accepted for Canadian citizenship?
Yes. IRCC's citizenship language proof page says applicants aged 18 to 54 must show speaking and listening at CLB 4 or higher. For PTE Core, IRCC's accepted results page sets this as "28 or higher in listening and 42 or higher in speaking". Reading and writing scores aren't part of the citizenship requirement.
Citizenship is also more relaxed about dates. The step 2 instructions say to "include a copy of your test results (even if they're expired)".
Is PTE Core accepted for the PGWP and work permits in Canada?
For the PGWP, yes. IRCC's PGWP documents page lists PTE Core with CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training, TEF Canada and TCF Canada, and says "You should take the PTE Core option."
The score required depends on what you studied, per IRCC's PGWP eligibility page:
- University degree (bachelor's, master's, doctoral or any other university program): CLB 7 in all four language areas.
- College, polytechnic or other non-university program: CLB 5 in all four language areas.
The language requirement applies to PGWP applications submitted on or after 1 November 2024; applications submitted before that date don't need to meet it. The same documents page says "Language tests should be taken in person" and that results must be less than 2 years old when you apply. PTE Core is a test-centre exam anyway: Pearson states that "PTE Core cannot be taken at home."
For other Canadian work permits, we found no IRCC page listing accepted language tests, so we can't say PTE Core is accepted for all of them. Pearson's own product text describes PTE Core as "IRCC-approved for all Canada work and migration visas", but that is Pearson's claim. Check the instructions for the specific permit before you book.
How long PTE Core results stay valid for IRCC
Pearson says on its PTE Core page that "A PTE Core score is valid for two years from the test date." IRCC's rule for Express Entry is stricter in practice: results "must be less than 2 years old when you: complete your Express Entry profile, and submit your application for permanent residence". A result that was valid when you created your profile still has to be under two years old on the day you submit your PR application. The PGWP uses the same two-year rule. Citizenship accepts expired results, as noted above.
How to send your PTE Core score to IRCC
You share your score with IRCC using your Score Report Code (myPTE score assignment); IRCC doesn't accept paper or PDF reports. The Score Guide says "The IRCC does not accept paper or PDF versions of PTE Core Score Reports". Pearson's scoring page describes scores as "shared automatically with the IRCC", which reads differently from its Help Centre and Score Guide, so check your myPTE account and follow the instructions there. Our guide to PTE Core results covers when scores arrive and how to view your score report.
What about PTE Academic?
PTE Academic is not one of IRCC's accepted tests for Express Entry, citizenship or PGWP. Pearson's PTE Core FAQ says "PTE Core is used just for Canadian permanent residency and citizenship visas", while PTE Academic is for university admissions and for Australian and New Zealand migration. See PTE Core vs PTE Academic for the task differences.
If you're aiming for a specific CLB level, PTE Core mock tests on PrepAmigo report each skill score so you can check it against the chart above.
Frequently asked questions
Is PTE Core accepted for Express Entry in Canada?
Yes. IRCC lists three English tests for Express Entry: CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core. You must take the PTE Core option, not PTE Academic.
How much PTE Core score is required for Canada PR?
It depends on the program. Federal Skilled Worker needs CLB 7 in all four skills: at least Speaking 68, Listening 60, Reading 60 and Writing 69. CEC needs CLB 7 or CLB 5 depending on your job's TEER category, and Federal Skilled Trades needs CLB 5 in speaking and listening and CLB 4 in reading and writing.
Is PTE Academic accepted in Canada for PR?
No. PTE Academic does not appear on IRCC's accepted test lists for Express Entry, citizenship or the PGWP.
Is PTE Core accepted for PGWP in Canada?
Yes. PTE Core is on IRCC's PGWP list. University graduates need CLB 7 in all four areas and college or other non-university graduates need CLB 5 in all four areas, for applications submitted on or after 1 November 2024.
Is PTE Core accepted in Canada for a work permit other than the PGWP?
We found no IRCC page listing accepted tests for other work permits. Pearson describes PTE Core as approved for all Canadian work and migration visas, but that is Pearson's statement, so check the instructions for your specific permit.
Does IRCC use my overall PTE Core score?
No. IRCC uses your speaking, listening, reading and writing scores separately. Pearson says the overall score is not required and cannot be converted into CLB.
Is an expired PTE Core result still valid for Canada PR?
Not for Express Entry. Results must be less than two years old when you create your profile and when you submit your permanent residence application. The PGWP uses the same rule. Citizenship is the exception and accepts expired results.
Related guides
Sources and further reading
- IRCC: Express Entry language testing, accepted English tests and the PTE Core to CLB table.
- IRCC: Express Entry language test results, minimum CLB levels for FSW, CEC and FST, and the two-year validity rule.
- IRCC: Federal Skilled Workers, CLB 7 in all four abilities.
- IRCC: CRS criteria, CRS points per CLB level.
- IRCC: Citizenship language proof, CLB 4 speaking and listening for ages 18 to 54.
- IRCC: Citizenship accepted test results, PTE Core listening 28 and speaking 42.
- IRCC: Citizenship language proof, step 2, expired results accepted.
- IRCC: PGWP eligibility, CLB 7 or CLB 5 and the 1 November 2024 cut-off.
- IRCC: PGWP documents, accepted tests, in-person testing and two-year validity.
- IRCC: PGWP language results, full CLB 4 row for PTE Core.
- Pearson: PTE Core, uses, two-year score validity, no at-home option and the PTE Core vs PTE Academic FAQ.
- Pearson: PTE Core scoring, score scale and Pearson's CLB table.
- Pearson: PTE Core Score Guide 2026 (PDF), integrated scoring, overall score and sharing results with IRCC.