What English or French level do you need to move to Canada in 2026?

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) measures English with Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) and French with Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC). Many economic permanent residence programs, including the Express Entry programs, require an approved language test. Approved English tests include CELPIP General, IELTS General Training, and PTE Core. Approved French tests include TEF Canada and TCF Canada. Results are usually valid for less than two years at the points IRCC names on the program page.

Minimums are not one forever number for every applicant. Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades each publish their own CLB or NCLC floors by ability, and Canadian Experience Class also ties the floor to your job's TEER group under the National Occupational Classification. Higher scores can also raise Comprehensive Ranking System points. Always read the live IRCC language table for your program before you book a test. For the wider Express Entry picture, see Canada Express Entry and later card steps at How to get a PR card.

No. Many temporary work permits focus on the job offer, Labour Market Impact Assessment rules when required, and IRCC admissibility, not on a CLB score for entry. See How to apply for a work permit. Employers can still expect strong English or French for the role, and Quebec private-sector hiring often expects French regardless of the federal permit language.

After you arrive with work authorization, you still need a Social Insurance Number before payroll (How to get a SIN) and provincial health enrolment on local rules (Provincial health). Those steps are English-friendly outside Quebec and French-heavy inside it. Street language fit is covered in Can you live in Canada with English and Should you learn English or French.

For Canadian citizenship, most applicants aged 18 to 54 must show they can speak and listen in English or French at about CLB level 4 or higher, using proof IRCC accepts. That is a different, usually lower, bar than many Express Entry minimums. Accepted proof can include certain test results, education taught in English or French, or government-funded language certificates at the required level. Check the current IRCC citizenship language-proof page before you apply.

Eligible permanent residents and protected persons can take Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) English classes or Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada (CLIC) French classes at no cost in many areas. Those courses use CLB or NCLC levels and can support settlement and, at the right speaking and listening level, citizenship proof. Quebec residents aiming at French should also look at Francisation Québec on How to learn French in Canada.