Citizenship and Immigration Canada
www.cic.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
Skilled workers and professionals: Who can apply—Selection factors
Abilities in English and/or French
(Maximum 24 points)
The ability to communicate and work in one or both of Canada’s official languages is very important to you as a skilled worker. Proficiency in English, French or both will help you in the Canadian labour market.
Your ability in English and/or French is one of the six selection factors for skilled workers. You will be awarded up to 24 points for your basic, moderate or high proficiency in English and French. You will be given points based on your ability to:
- listen
- speak
- read and
- write.
Proof of your language abilities
If you have some proficiency in both English and French, decide which language you are more comfortable using. This is your first official language. The other is your second official language.
If you claim to have language abilities on your application, you must provide conclusive proof of your level of proficiency. There are two ways to do this. You can:
- take a language test or
- provide other written proof of your abilities.
We strongly recommend that you take a language test from an approved organization. You will find a link to a list of approved English language testing organizations under the Related Links section at the bottom of this page. You will also find a link to additional information on language testing.
Do not request that your language test result be sent directly to the Visa Office. Submit your original test result with your complete application.
Description of each level of proficiency
Use the following chart to assess your skill levels. Follow the links for a description of each skill level.
| Proficiency Level | Ability | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | |
| HIGH: You can communicate effectively in most social and work situations. | Speaking: High | Listening: High | Reading: High | Writing: High |
| MODERATE: You can communicate comfortably in familiar social and work situations. | Speaking: Moderate | Listening: Moderate | Reading: Moderate | Writing: Moderate |
| BASIC: You can communicate in predictable contexts and on familiar topics, but with some difficulty. | Speaking: Basic | Listening: Basic | Reading: Basic | Writing: Basic |
| NO: You do not meet the above criteria for basic proficiency. | Does not meet Basic Level. | Does not meet Basic Level. | Does not meet Basic Level. | Does not meet Basic Level. |
Calculate your language points
Use the descriptions from the table above to score your language proficiency.
| First Official Language | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High proficiency | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Moderate proficiency | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Basic proficiency | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Please Note: You can score a maximum of only two points in total for basic-level proficiency. | ||||
| No proficiency | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Second Official Language | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
| High proficiency | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Moderate proficiency | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Basic proficiency | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Please Note: You can score a maximum of only two points in total for basic-level proficiency. | ||||
| No proficiency | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
