Language Proof for Citizenship: CLB 4 and What Counts

If you are 18 to 54 on the day you sign your application, you must prove you can speak and listen in English or French at a basic level. It is a separate requirement from the knowledge test, and a missing or unreadable proof is one of the few things that sends a whole application back. This is from IRCC's pages on eligibility and language proof, checked on 23 September 2026.

What level

The level is equivalent to CLB 4 on the Canadian Language Benchmarks for English, or NCLC 4 for French, in speaking and listening. IRCC describes it as being able to take part in short everyday conversations, understand simple instructions and questions, use basic grammar, and know enough common words to express yourself.

Send it with the application

You must include at least one accepted document with your application. IRCC says it will return the entire application if the proof is missing, cannot be read, or is in a language other than English or French without a certified translation.

What IRCC accepts

IRCC's checker works through these in order.

1. School or university in English or French

A diploma, transcript or certificate showing you completed or are attending a secondary or post-secondary program in English or French, in Canada or elsewhere. If it is not in English or French, include a certified translation that shows the language of instruction.

2. Test results from your permanent residence application

If you submitted accepted language test results when you applied for permanent residence, they may count. Which ones depends on the test and when you took it.

3. LINC or CLIC training

Government-funded LINC or CLIC training at CLB 4 or higher in speaking and listening. Training on or after 1 November 2012 needs a copy of the certificate. Training from January 2008 to October 2012 is verified electronically if you mark the box on your application.

4. Some provincial language programs

Certain programs in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec count, each with its own document and level.

5. A language test

If none of the above applies, take an accepted test. IRCC lists these minimum results in listening and speaking:

Test	Result needed
CELPIP-General or CELPIP-General LS	4 or higher in listening and speaking
IELTS General Training	4.0 in speaking and 4.5 in listening
PTE Core	28 in listening and 42 in speaking
TEF Canada, TEFAQ, TEF IRN, TCF Canada or TCFQ	B1 or higher in listening and speaking
DELF	B1 or higher
DALF	all results

Not the same as the test

Language proof and the knowledge test are separate. The test is about Canada, not about English or French, although reading it carefully in a second language is part of what makes it demanding. Our free practice questions are a good way to get used to that too.