How much IELTS score required for PNP Canada? 2023 Full Guide

As an immigrant who wants to reside permanently in Canada, having a good command of the English language is very important. To prove yourself worthy, taking the IELTS test is a necessity. But, how can you take the IELTS test when you don’t know how much IELTS score required for PNP Canada?

While the number of retirees in Canada steadily increases, many more opportunities are open to young professionals who know their onions in the different locations in Canada. This article will help you know how much IELTS score is required for PNP Canada and guide you on how to get it.

With over 341,000 spots to fill, the Canadian government has implemented systems and immigration initiatives to address the current labor gap in the Canadian job market. While the number of retirees in Canada is steadily increasing, many more opportunities are open to young professionals who know their onions in the different locations in Canada.

Canada is a country with several provinces and territories. Also, Canada operates a two-tiered immigration system, offering programs for skilled workers, at both federal and provincial levels. All these provinces have played an important role in the economy and development of Canada.

In addition, most of the provinces in Canada have their immigration program called, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Successful candidates who receive a territorial or provincial nomination can then apply for Canadian permanent residence through federal immigration authorities. This is an important component of all PNP.

Just take your time and go through this article; we have arranged every detail you need to know more about how much IELTS score is required for PNP Canada as an immigrant who wants to move to Canada.

What is PNP Canada?

PNP stands for Provincial Nominee Program. This is the fastest-growing economic Canadian immigration pathway. Due to this, the federal government has gradually increased the annual allocations given to provinces for their respective PNP.

Therefore, this shows the increasing importance of the provincial nominee program to the Canadian immigration system.

The main aim of PNP is to help students, business people, and skilled and semi-skilled workers, immigrate through the Canadian immigration system. 

Immigration to Canada has become a more viable option through Canadian Express Entry Program.

 As a candidate who wants to reside permanently in Canada, you are expected to choose a province you seek to live in. Subsequently, you should apply for nomination. This, of course, can be gotten through the Provincial Nominee Programs(PNP).

The province will then consider the application based on its immigration and labor needs, while also assessing your genuine intention to settle in the province.

Although the Express Entry system is one of Canada’s most popular ways to immigrate to Canada, it is not always the best option for all skilled workers.

The PNP (Provincial Nominee Program) is a great opportunity for you if you don’t meet the requirements of the Express Entry System. However, knowing that you need a good IELTS score to be considered is important.

Apart from having an IELTS score, one of the criteria of the PNP is that you may need a Canadian job offer. Of course, this job offer has to be from a designated employer in your province or territory of interest. Thus, every PNP applicant requires a job to qualify.

How the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) works

Firstly, it is important to note that the provincial nominee program, is for workers who want to be permanent residents in Canada.

While a job offer is undoubtedly an asset, several enhanced and base nomination streams do not require one.

Therefore, selection through these streams is based mainly on human capital factors, such as work experience, language proficiency, and education. This is why you need to know the IELTS score required for PNP Canada.

In addition, the Canadian government expects workers to have skills, work experience, or education to contribute to the economy’s growth. In other words, we can say that the Canadian government doesn’t need immigrants who are liabilities.

So, while applying for PNP, you should endeavor to be an asset, not a liability, to the province you want to reside in permanently.

The provincial nominee program gives nine Canadian provinces and two territories the power to select immigrants who meet local labor market needs and priorities.

Furthermore, each province and territory in Canada has its requirements. And immigration programs that target specific groups.

Only immigration candidates who receive an invitation can apply for a provincial nomination. Subsequently, you, as the candidate, should complete applications. Finally. Your application must be received within a given time frame, or you will not be considered.

Meanwhile. unlike other provinces in Canada, Quebec does not have a provincial nominee program. It has a separate agreement with the federal government that gives it sole responsibility for selecting economic-class immigrants.

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Express Entry Provincial Nominee Programs

Express Entry is an application management system used by the Canadian government through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage and process applications for permanent residence from skilled workers.

It is important to note that some PNPs require an applicant to have an Express Entry profile to meet the PNP eligibility requirements.

Thus, if you are nominated through a PNP aligned with Express Entry, you can claim 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. Subsequently, this guarantees you will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw. 

In addition, if an applicant receives a nomination through a PNP that is not aligned with Express Entry, then they must submit a paper-based federal application for permanent residence as a provincial nominee. 

Individuals who wish to apply for a provincial nomination under an enhanced PNP stream must first create an Express Entry profile and enter the pool.

What Provincial Nominee Programs are available in Canada?

Apart from the province of Quebec, 11 of Canada’s provinces and territories have their PNP. Each province has different streams and categories to match its specific labor needs. For example, the Nova Scotia PNP has a stream explicitly dedicated for nurses, as there is a great shortage of qualified registered nurses.

Similarly, both Ontario and British Columbia both have IT-targeted Express Entry draws. This is where the province will select suitable applicants from the draw pool to invite to apply for a provincial nomination.

Also, there is an important thing to note after a province or territory has nominated you. You have to make a separate application to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for permanent residence. A CIC officer will then assess your application based on Canadian immigration regulations.

All decisions regarding Canadian permanent residence must be approved at the national level by the federal government. So, Canada’s provinces cannot approve permanent resident status independently. Therefore, it is for this reason that the provincial programs are considered “nominee” programs.

As a successful applicant to a PNP, you will be nominated by the province to apply for permanent residence in the federal government. This means that securing a provincial nomination is always step one in a two-part process of getting a permanent resident status in Canada.

First, an interested immigrant is approved at the provincial level and then must apply to the federal level.

Furthermore, you will have to pass a medical examination, security, and criminal checks.

Below is a list of the participating provinces, and their websites. Thus, you would need to check them out to directly contact them.

  • Alberta
    The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) is an immigration program that allows workers, graduates, and entrepreneurs to settle in Alberta permanently. Thus, successful applicants to the AINP receive a provincial nomination certificate. 

    In fact, it is one of Canada’s most popular destinations for new immigrants.
  • British Columbia
    The British Columbia province is one of the most varied of all the PNPs in Canada. It has two broad streams for workers and graduates. Namely, Express Entry BC and Skills Immigration. Also, an additional stream for entrepreneurs.
  • Manitoba
    The Manitoba PNP welcomes applications from Skilled Workers Overseas and Skilled Workers in Manitoba categories. Thus, it remains in effect for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) and the receipt of applications by the province.
  • New Brunswick
    The currently available PNP streams in New Brunswick include:
    Express Entry, Entrepreneurial, and skilled workers with an eligible job offer in New Brunswick.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
    The currently available PNP streams in Newfoundland and Labrador include:
    Express Entry skilled worker, Entrepreneur, International graduate, and lastly, skilled workers with an eligible job offer in Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • Northwest Territories
    The currently available PNP streams in New Brunswick include:
    Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations stream, business stream, Express Entry skilled worker, and lastly, skilled workers with an eligible job offer
  • Nova Scotia
    The Nova Scotia PNP welcomes applications from international graduates and temporary foreign workers in Nova Scotia, to skilled workers and entrepreneurs outside Canada
  • Ontario
    The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)  is one of the most varied and dynamic provincial nominee programs of Canada. It has streams and categories designed to welcome skilled workers, graduates, and business immigrants.
  • Prince Edward Island
    The Prince Edward Island PNP welcomes applications from Express Entry candidates, skilled workers, graduates, and business investors.
  • Saskatchewan
    The Saskatchewan PNP is for you if you are an Express Entry candidate or a worker in in-demand occupations.
  • Yukon
    The Yukon PNP welcomes applications from skilled workers, Express Entry, Critical Impact Worker, and individuals with business and entrepreneurial experience.

What is IELTS?

IELTS simply stands for the International English Language Testing System. It is an English language exam taken explicitly by those interested in studying or working in a country where English is their official language of communication.

For instance, the official communication language in Canada is English . So, every intending immigrant must have a good IELTS score to qualify for pnp. The British Council, Cambridge Assessment English, and IDP collectively manage IELTS.

Indeed, the primary purpose of the IELTS test is to know how well an International candidate can communicate excellent English Language skills. This is will be tested based on your listening, reading, writing, and speaking abilities.

There are two types of IELTS: Academic and General Training.

  • IELTS Academic: This is for those who want to study for higher education, or work in a professional field like engineering, medicine, and so on; then, you should take the IELTS academic test.
  • IELTS General Training:  If your goal is to work, live, or train in an English-speaking country, such as Canada, the UK, Australia, etc., then, you should consider taking the IELTS general test.

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What is IELTS test pattern?

Listening and Speaking are the same for both tests. However, the subject matter of the Reading and Writing sections differs depending on which test you take. The total duration of IELTS is 2 hours and 45 minutes. So, even as you take the test, you must be time conscious, and learn how to manage your time well.

Therefore, before you register for your IELTS test, you must be aware of which one of these tests you will take.

IELTS examiners expect the candidate to complete the Reading, Writing, and Listening sections on the same day.

The candidates are not provided with any breaks in between the sections. However, candidates can complete the speaking section a week before or after the tests.

To choose their dates for the speaking test, candidates must consult their test centers. The exam pattern varies a little for Academic and General modules. 

The best strategy to achieve high IELTS scores is adequate preparation for the IELTS test. Remember, he who fails to plan plans to fail. 

Is IELTS on Paper or Computer?

As a candidate, you can take IELTS either on Paper or Computer, and it all depends on your choice. Also, for both the computer-delivered and paper-based tests, the Speaking test is completed face-to-face with an IELTS examiner.

Paper-based IELTS

This test requires you as a candidate to sit at a desk with the question papers and answer sheets for the Reading, Listening, and Writing tests in an official IELTS test center. You will write their answers in either pen or HB-pencils. The Speaking test is carried out face-to-face with a trained IELTS examiner. 

Computer-delivered IELTS

This test will require that you sit for the Reading, Listening and Writing tests in front of a computer with the questions presented on the screen in an official IELTS test center. You then submit your answers using a keyboard and a mouse. As a candidate, you will conduct your speaking test face-to-face with a trained IELTS examiner. 

How Is IELTS Score Calculated?

IELTS scores are also known as band scores. Also, an IELTS score is judged on a scale from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest). IELTS results are designed to be simple and easy to understand.

IELTS scores are categorized into two types; Overall Band Scores and Sectional Band Scores. You can obtain the Sectional band scores per section as a test taker. On the other hand, the Overall Band Score is the average of all the sectional band scores.

For both overall and sectional scores, the IELTS examiners mark the test takers from 0 to 9. Afterward, round off the overall band scores to the next half or whole band. For instance, if you get an average of 6.25, round it off to 6.5. For band scores, half results, such as 6.5, are possible.

Well understood? Check the table below for a better understanding of IELTS scores, and the skill level of each band:

Band scoreSkill level
9Expert
8Very good
7Good
6Competent
5Modest
4Limited
3Extremely limited
2
Intermittent
1Non
0Did not attempt the test

IELTS Fees For PNP Canada

The IELTS exam fee for PNP Canada is the same, irrespective of the type of exam you take.

Thus, whether you write the Paper-based or Computer-based IELTS test, fees for taking an IELTS exam in Canada is INR 13,250.

Furthermore, you can take both types of exams in any British Council official test centers.

How much IELTS score required for pnp Canada?

The best IELTS score required for pnp Canada is 9. However, this isn’t easy to achieve. Hence, it is better to have realistic expectations from yourself and give yourself time to prepare. I hope you understand that getting a score below 9 doesn’t mean you have failed.

A good IELTS score is very important if your goal is to base in Canada permanently. The most possible IELTS score for Canada permanent residency is 8777 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

There are different Canada Provincial Nominee Programs, and every PNP has different requirements based on their different streams.

If you need a permanent residency in Canada, certain yardsticks need to be accomplished for. You have to score points under which language proficiency is understood to be an important criterion.

For you to know how much IELTS score is required for PNP Canada, it is dependent on the province. However, the ideal IELTS score required for PNP Canada is 6 band.

Despite what people might tell you, getting a good IELTS score is not that difficult to clear. 

Booking for the IELTS test is extremely competitive. However, this is because there are only four tests available every month.

Conclusion

Now that you are aware of how much IELTS score required for PNP Canada, it is important to note that within each test, you will gain a ‘raw score’.

You can get the raw score by converting the number of answers you got right into band scores. Also, your overall English ability is represented by your overall score. This is the average of your IELTS scores. Remember, if you plan to reside in Canada permanently, you should prepare well before taking the IELTS test.

Even though most of the Canadian provinces have their ideal IELTS score of 6, some of the PNPs have low requirements for the IELTS score. Some of the PNPs are as follows:

  • Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP): Minimum IELTS score of 4.5
  • Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP): Minimum IELTS score of 4.5
  • Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP): Minimum IELTS score of 4.5

References

  • CICS Immigration options
  • CIC NewsHow Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program works
  • Canada.caHow the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) works
  • Am22tech How Much IELTS Score Is Required for Canada PR

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