Acceptable documents for language requirements

Adults between 18 and 54 who apply for citizenship must send us proof that they meet the language requirement for citizenship (Canadian Language Benchmark/Niveau de compétence linguistique canadien 4). A copy of any of the following documents showing that you meet the language requirement will be accepted. You can also consult the Do you have acceptable documents for the citizenship language requirement? flowchart.

1. Third-party test results that you already sent to CIC or Ministère de l’Immigration et Communautés culturelles Québec (MICC) for a previous application as a Federal or Quebec-Selected Skilled Worker or for the Canadian Experience Class

2. New third-party test results, including:

  1. CELPIP General (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General test); or
  2. CELPIP General-LS – a two-skills (listening and speaking) version of the CELPIP General test; or
  3. IELTS – General training (International English Language Testing System); or
  4. Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF) (in French only); or
  5. Test d’Évaluation de Français adapté au Québec (TEFAQ) (in French only) or TEF épreuves orales – a two-skills (listening and speaking) version of the TEF

3. Proof of completion of a secondary or post-secondary education program in French or English, in Canada or abroad, such as:

  • A transcript, diploma or certificate from a secondary school; or
  • A transcript, diploma, certificate or degree from a post-secondary school

Note: When these documents are provided, the applicant must have successfully completed a secondary or post-secondary program in English or French. A single course done in English or French does not meet the requirement.

4. Proof of achieving CLB/NCLC 4 in speaking and listening through a Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) or Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada (CLIC) course.

  • Applicants who successfully completed LINC/CLIC courses between January 1, 2008 and October 31, 2012, should indicate this on their citizenship application form and CIC will verify the completion electronically.
  • Applicants who successfully complete a LINC/CLIC course after November 1, 2012, should submit a copy of the certificate that is issued to them.

Note: Initial placement tests by a LINC/CLIC assessment centre are not accepted as proof of achieving CLB/NCLC 4 in speaking and listening. Applicants must have completed a LINC/CLIC course at the necessary level of language ability to prove that they have adequate knowledge of English or French.

5. Proof of achieving CLB/NCLC 4 in speaking and listening issued by a provincially-funded language training course in Manitoba, British Columbia or Quebec, including: