Pearson Test of English is approved by IRCC for Canadian immigration applications as recently announced by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The Pearson Test of English (PTE) will join CELPIP and IELTS General Training after beginning in late 2023 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.
Pearson has created a new English language test, PTE Essential to meet the language proficiency requirements of IRCC for Canadian immigration applicants. For study permit applicants, IRCC has different language criteria which means that the “Academic” version of the language proficiency test is usually needed to be taken by international students.
There are now a total of five language tests after the approval of PTE Essential, in addition to IELTS, CELPIP, TEF Canada, and TCF Canada. Among them, IELTS and CELPIP are English language ability tests, and TEF and TCF are French language ability tests.
It is required by IRCC that economic class candidates complete language ability test for demonstrating their ability to economically establish themselves in Canada. Strong proficiency in English or French language is a strong predictor of economic integration in Canada as shown by Statistics Canada research.
When applicants will be able to submit PTE Essential in support of their Canadian immigration applicants has not been specified by IRCC, but it has written on its website that it will be in a position to do so towards the end of 2023.
For economic-class immigrants, 100 different pathways are offered by Canada. The leading admissions pathways are the Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) under the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025. Language test designated by IRCC must also be completed by applicants for other economic class pathways such as the Atlantic Immigration program (AIP), Quebec Skilled Worker Programs, and other IRCC pilot programs.
Candidates must achieve the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score set for a given pathway in addition to completing an IRCC-designated language test. For example, candidates must obtain a CLB of at least 7 in all four abilities, i.e., reading, listening, speaking, and writing under the popular Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). For certain programs, the minimum standard required is a CLB 4.
Candidates receive more points for a higher CLB score for certain immigration pathways such as those managed via Express Entry and expression of the interest systems operated by the provinces and territories.
