Language testing - Start-up visa
To apply for a start-up visa, you must show that you have reached Canadian Language Benchmark 5 in listening, reading, writing and speaking.
On this page
To prove your language skills, you must take a language test given by an agency that is approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and include the results with your application.
You must
- Arrange for testing by an approved agency. You'll have to pay the costs.
- Include the copies of your test results with your immigration application. If you don't, we won't process your application and we'll send it back to you.
Don't ask for your language test result to be sent to the Centralized Intake Office. Submit your original test along with your application.
What happens next
- You can use the charts below to know exactly what Canadian Language Benchmark level you have based on your test results.
- We will use the test results as proof of your language proficiency.
- You can use language test results for 2 years from the time you take the test.
Note: Keep a copy of your language test results for your records and future use. You may use these results in the future for another application, as long as they are not more than 2 years old when you apply. You may also use these test results to prove your language levels if you are approved to immigrate and then apply to become a citizen. There is no expiration date for third-party language test results for citizenship applicants.
Language tests we accept
We have approved certain agencies to do language testing and give results for people who apply under the start-up business visa. These tests are:
English
CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
CELPIP has two tests: “CELPIP-General (CELPIP-G)” and “CELPIP-Academic (CELPIP-A).” You must take the “CELPIP-G” test.
| CLB Level | Test results for each ability | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | |
| 10 and above | 10+ | 10+ | 10+ | 10+ |
| 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
IELTS: International English Language Testing System
IELTS has two options for the reading and writing tests: “General Training” and “Academic.” You must take the “General Training” option.
| CLB Level | Test results for each ability | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
| 9 and above | 8.0-9.0 | 7.0-9.0 | 7.0-9.0 | 7.0-9.0 |
| 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
French
TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
You must submit results from the following TEF Canada tests as proof of your French language proficiency:
- compréhension de l’écrit
- compréhension de l’oral
- expression écrite
- expression orale
We’ll accept TEF results if you wrote your test before March 1, 2020. If you wrote the test on or after March 1, 2020, you need to provide TEF Canada test results.
| NCLC Level | Test results for each ability | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking (expression orale) |
Listening (compréhension de l’oral) |
Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) |
Writing (expression écrite) |
|
| 9 and above | 372+ | 298+ | 248+ | 372+ |
| 8 | 349-371 | 280-297 | 233-247 | 349-371 |
| 7 | 309 | 248 | 206 | 309 |
| 6 | 271 | 217 | 181 | 271 |
| 5 | 225 | 180 | 150 | 225 |
| 4 | 181 | 145 | 121 | 181 |
TCF Canada : Test de connaissance du français
You must submit results from the following TCF Canada tests as proof of your French language proficiency:
- compréhension de l’écrit
- compréhension de l’oral
- expression écrite
- expression orale
| NCLC Level | Test results for each ability | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking (expression orale) |
Listening (compréhension de l’oral) |
Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) |
Writing (expression écrite) |
|
| 10 and above | 16-20 | 549 – 699 | 549 – 699 | 16 – 20 |
| 9 | 14-15 | 523-548 | 524-548 | 14-15 |
| 8 | 12-13 | 503-522 | 499-523 | 12-13 |
| 7 | 10-11 | 458-502 | 453-498 | 10-11 |
| 6 | 7-9 | 398-457 | 406-452 | 7-9 |
| 5 | 6 | 369-397 | 375-405 | 6 |
| 4 | 4-5 | 331-368 | 342-374 | 4-5 |
Designated language testing agencies
The agencies designated to conduct these tests are:
English (CELPIP G-Test)
- Paragon Testing Enterprises Inc.
English (IELTS)
- Cambridge Assessment English
- IDP Australia, and
- The British Council
French (TEF Canada)
- The Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry
French (TCF Canada)
- France Education International (FEI)
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) centres are not approved testing agencies for people who apply for a start-up visa.
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