By admin (May 21, 2024)

PTE Essentials approved by IRCC for Canadian immigration applicants

For Canadian immigration applications, the Pearson Test of English has been approved, as recently announced by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The Pearson Test of English (PTE) will begin in late 2023 and later join CELPIP and IELTS General Training as one of the three designated language tests that economic class candidates will be able to complete to demonstrate their proficiency in the English language to IRCC.   

To meet the language proficiency requirements of IRCC for Canadian immigration applicants, Pearson has created a new English language test. IRCC uses different language criteria for study permit applications. It means that usually the academic version of the language proficiency test is needed to be taken by international students.  

After the approval of PTE Essentials, there will be a total of five language proficiency tests among which IELTS, CELPIP, and PTE Essentials will be for testing English proficiency, whereas TEF and TCF are French language ability tests.

Economic class candidates have to complete a language ability test for demonstrating their ability to establish themselves economically in Canada as required by IRCC. Strong proficiency in French or English language is a strong predictor of economic integration in Canada as shown in research by Statistics Canada.

It has not been specified by IRCC when applicants will be able to submit PTE Essential in support of their Canadian immigration applicants, but as written on the website, it will be able to do so towards the end of 2023.

There are 100 different pathways offered to economic-class immigrants by Canada. The leading admissions pathways are Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Express Entry under the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025. Applicants for other economic class pathways such as the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), Quebec Skilled Worker programs, and other IRCC pilot programs must also complete a language test designated by IRCC.

For a given pathway, candidates must achieve the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score in addition to completing an IRCC-designated language test. For example, a CLB score of at least 7 in all four abilities, i.e., reading, listening, speaking, and writing must be obtained by candidates under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). The lowest standard required for certain programs is a CLB 4.

For higher CLB scores, candidates receive higher CLB scores for certain immigration pathways such as those managed via Express Entry and expression of the interest systems operated by the territories and provinces.