Wants to know IELTS requirement for Canada student visa?
Between the stunning natural spots that you see, top-level universities, and super welcoming folks, it’s not a surprise anymore that so many students dream of heading to Canada.
But before you start looking for universities or any other related part of the process, there’s one pretty big box you’ll need to check.
Which is proving your English skills. And for most international students, that means taking the IELTS exam.
Now, we know what you might be thinking: “Do I really need IELTS? Can’t I just show my high school English grades?”
Well, to be honest, it’s not quite that simple.
In fact, Canadian immigration and universities want to make sure that you can actually understand lectures, write essays, and chat with classmates without getting totally lost.
That’s where IELTS comes in—it’s like your official “I speak English well enough” badge.
Alright, now, don’t stress! This guide is here to walk you through everything that you need to know about IELTS and your Canadian student visa, all in a simple, friendly way, so that you don’t get any confusing parts while reading.
Why IELTS Is Important for a Canadian Student Visa
Let’s break it down in a simple way.
When you apply for a study permit (that’s the official name for a student visa in Canada), Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) needs to be confident that you can handle your life challenges and studies in an English-speaking environment.
Therefore, even if your program is in English, they won’t just take your word for it—you’ve got to prove it. That’s the main reason IELTS is so important.
Furthermore, your IELTS score isn’t just for the visa office.
Most Canadian colleges and universities also require it as part of your admission application.
So really, if you think about it, you’re killing two birds with one stone.
In comparison, this test helps you to get into an institute while also clearing a major hurdle for your visa. Quite perfect, right?
Conversely, if you skip this step or submit a score that’s too low, your application could get delayed—or worse, like falling to the rejected side. And nobody wants to go through all that paperwork only to hit a wall because of a missing language test.
For that reason, it’s smart to tackle IELTS early in your planning process.
Minimum IELTS Score Required for Canada Student Visa
Okay, so what’s the magic number?
The truth is, there’s no single “minimum IELTS score” set by the Canadian government for all student visas.
Wait—what? Yeah, it’s a bit tricky.
In fact, IRCC doesn’t actually publish a hard-and-fast IELTS cutoff.
Instead, they leave it up to individual schools to decide what scores they’ll accept.
With that, once you’re accepted by a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)—that’s just a fancy term for a school approved by the government—they’ll usually require a certain IELTS level as part of your admission.
That said, most universities and colleges expect at least a 6.0 overall band score, with no individual band (listening, reading, writing, speaking) below 5.5 or 6.0.
On the other hand, some competitive programs—like medicine, law, or graduate studies—might ask for 6.5 or even 7.0.
So while IRCC itself won’t say “you must have 6.0,” your chosen school almost certainly will, and without that acceptance letter, you can’t apply for the visa.
To be honest, aiming for a solid 6.5 overall is a safe bet.
That is because it keeps your options open and shows that you’re truly comfortable with English.
Plus, higher scores can sometimes help with scholarship applications or faster visa processing under certain programs.
IELTS Requirement for Different Levels of Study
Now, let’s talk about how your study level affects your IELTS needs.
Let’s say that if you’re applying for an undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree, most universities look for a minimum of 6.0 to 6.5 overall.
For example, the University of Toronto typically asks for a 6.5 with no band below 6.0.
But if you’re going for a diploma or certificate program at a college—say, in business or IT—you might get away with a 6.0 overall and 5.5 in each section.
Conversely, graduate programs (master’s or PhD) usually demand higher scores.
Whereas you can expect around 6.5 to 7.0, especially in writing and speaking, since you’ll be doing a lot of research, presentations, and academic writing.
On the flip side, if you’re enrolling in an English language prep course before your main program, you might not need IELTS at all—or only a very basic score—because the whole point of that course is to get you up to speed.
For that reason, it is always smart to check your specific program’s requirements.
In case, don’t assume that because your friend got in with a 6.0, you will too.
That is because each school—and even each department—can set its own rules.
Therefore, it’s better to over-prepare than to be surprised later!
IELTS Requirement by Canadian Provinces or Institutions
Here’s something that people often get confused about, or should we say the question:
Do provinces set their own IELTS rules?
Well, the short answer to this question is no, not directly.
Speaking of which, immigration rules are federal, so the student visa process is the same whether you’re heading to Vancouver, Toronto, or Halifax.
However, individual institutions absolutely have their own standards, and those can change quite a bit.
For instance, schools in Quebec—like McGill University—still follow national visa rules, but since Quebec has its own immigration agreements, some programs might have extra steps (though language requirements for English-taught programs remain similar).
Meanwhile, colleges in provinces like Ontario or British Columbia might be a bit more flexible with scores if you’re applying to a pathway or bridging program.
Moreover, back in the day, some institutions participated in the Student Direct Stream (SDS), a faster visa processing route for students from certain countries (like India, China, Vietnam, etc.) Which was discontinued in 2024.
Anyway, to qualify for SDS, you must have an IELTS score of at least 6.0 in each band—no exceptions.
So if speed is important to you, hitting that 6.0 across the board becomes non-negotiable.
However, since we don’t get that option anymore, you must go with the regular visa route, where you might have a little more wiggle room—but again, your school’s admission requirements are the real deal in this case.
Therefore, always double-check with your chosen institution’s international admissions page. As they’ll spell it out clearly.
Alternative English Tests Accepted in Canada
Here’s some good news: IELTS isn’t your only option!
While it’s the most common test, Canada also accepts several other English proficiency exams.
Such as TOEFL iBT, Duolingo English Test (yes, really!), and CAEL.
Speaking of which, TOEFL is widely recognised, especially by universities.
Whereas a typical requirement might be 80–100 on the iBT version.
Meanwhile, Duolingo has become quite popular lately because it’s cheaper, faster, and you can take it from home.
In fact, many Canadian schools now accept it, often requiring a score of 110–120.
Conversely, CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment) is less common but designed specifically for Canadian academic contexts, so some schools prefer it.
However—and this is important—not all schools accept all tests.
For example, while your dream university may accept Duolingo, the college down the street might only require IELTS or TOEFL.
For that reason, before you book any test, check two things, as follows:
(1) what your school accepts, and (2) whether you’re aiming for a specific band score.
By doing so, you will save yourself time, money, and a whole lot of headaches.
Related Reads:
- Canada Student Visa Processing Time in Sri Lanka
- How to Apply for a Canada Student Visa from Sri Lanka
Common Mistakes Students Make with IELTS Requirements
Alright, let’s talk about the negative side of the story—because trust us, lots of students trip up here, and it’s totally something that students can overcome.
The first mistake is that we are assuming the visa office sets the IELTS score.
Nope! As we’ve said, it’s your school that makes the decision.
So don’t just Google “Canada student visa IELTS” and stop there.
Dig into your specific program’s website.
Secondly, lots of students mix up IELTS Academic and General Training.
As a matter of fact, for student visas, you almost always need IELTS Academic—not General.
That is because the general test is for work or immigration, not for studies.
Therefore, submitting the wrong one means your application gets rejected, even if your score is perfect.
For that reason, double-check which version you’re registering for!
With that, the third point is ignoring the “no band below X” rule.
As in some students get a 6.5 overall but have a 5.0 in writing.
In that case, if the school requires “minimum 6.0 in each band,” that 5.0 kills your chances—even if your average looks great.
On that account, always look at the individual scores, not just the total.
Silly Mistakes that Students Make
Another common mistake is letting your IELTS expire.
Trust us, scores are only valid for two years. Whereas if you took the test three years ago, it’s useless now—even if you get a good band score.
Note: Plan your test date so it’s still valid when you apply for your visa (which could be months after you get your acceptance letter).
Lastly, some students think they can “explain away” a low score in their statement of purpose.
So, if you had an idea like that, sorry, that is not going to help you—language requirements are usually non-negotiable.
Thus, if you don’t meet the score, you don’t meet the score; that is all.
Tip: Better to retake the test than waste time on a doomed application.
Conclusion
So there you have it!
Going through the IELTS process for your Canada student visa doesn’t have to be scary—it just takes a little planning and preparation.
So remember, your school’s requirements are your main highlight here, not some vague government rule.
Therefore, aim for a solid score (6.5 is a great target), make sure you’re taking the Academic version, and keep an eye on that two-year validity period.
Moreover, don’t forget to check if your school accepts alternatives like Duolingo—especially if you’re not interested in doing IELTS.
And above all, give yourself enough time to prepare, take the test, and maybe even retake it if needed.
That is because rushing this part can really slow down your whole study-abroad dream.
On the bright side, once you’ve got that IELTS score in hand and your acceptance letter, the rest of the visa process feels way more manageable.
With that thought in mind, focus on your studies because Canada’s waiting for you, cheers!
Now you know IELTS requirement for Canada student visa, Contact TEVS a Canada student visa agents in Sri Lanka for more details.
FAQs
There’s no official government minimum, but most schools require at least 6.0 overall as their minimum score with no band below 5.5 or 6.0.
Yes, but only if your school accepts another English test (like TOEFL or Duolingo) or if you qualify for a language waiver (e.g., you studied in English for several years). However, keep in mind that most students still need some form of proof.
No. You almost always need IELTS Academic for study purposes. That is because IELTS General is for work or permanent residency, not for student visas.
Your IELTS score is valid for two years from the test date. Therefore, make sure it hasn’t expired when you submit your visa application.
It depends. If your school accepts a 5.5 (some colleges or pathway programs might), and your overall score meets their requirement, then yes. However, most universities require a minimum of 6.0 in each band.
Editorial Staff at TEVS a experts in student visa.
