IELTS General Training or TOEFL: the English test Canada accepts (Cameroon, 2026)

In Cameroon, "IELTS" is typed into Google far more often than most Canada-related words, and "TOEFL" often comes up alongside it. Many people find out too late that not all English tests are equal in IRCC's eyes. Here is what IRCC accepts, checked on canada.ca on October 17, 2026, the scores to aim for, and where to take IELTS in Cameroon.

The English tests accepted for Express Entry

For Express Entry, IRCC accepts three English tests: CELPIP, in its CELPIP-General version, IELTS, provided you choose the General Training option, and PTE Core. In French, they are TCF Canada and TEF Canada.

IELTS Academic is not on the list. A candidate who took it because a school asked for it will not be able to use it for permanent residence. Before booking a date, check the exact name of the test on your registration.

What about TOEFL?

TOEFL does not appear on any IRCC page about Express Entry. Its organiser, ETS, announced in August 2025 that TOEFL Essentials had been designated by IRCC, while stating that IRCC was not yet accepting its scores. In October 2026, IRCC's official list still does not mention it. For permanent residence, do not count on TOEFL.

Two years of validity, and no single-skill retake

Your results must not be more than two years old when you fill in your Express Entry profile, nor when you submit your permanent residence application. If the test has expired when you apply, the application is refused. A test taken too early can therefore expire while you wait for an invitation.

IRCC does not accept the IELTS One Skill Retake either, which lets you resit a single section. As for IELTS Online, taken at home, it only exists in the Academic version, and the organiser itself states that it is not accepted for immigration.

The scores to aim for

IRCC converts your IELTS General Training scores into CLB levels. For CLB 7, the minimum for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you need 6.0 in each of the four sections. CLB 8 requires 6.5 in speaking, 7.5 in listening, 6.5 in reading and 6.5 in writing. CLB 9, which brings clearly more CRS points, requires 7.0 in speaking, 8.0 in listening, 7.0 in reading and 7.0 in writing.

Listening is therefore the section with the highest bar. It is often the one to work on first. Your score with these levels can be calculated here: /en/admissibilite.html

Taking IELTS in Cameroon

The official IELTS website lists two British Council centres: in Yaoundé, ELFA Cameroon Centre, in Obobogo, and in Douala, Global Language Centre, behind Tradex Makepe, at Parcours Vita. The displayed price is 217,000 FCFA, the same for Academic and General Training, with a note that prices may change. Check it when you book.

For CELPIP and PTE Core, look on each organiser's website for a centre you can reach from Cameroon. PTE Core cannot be taken at home.

For a study permit, the rule is different

IRCC itself does not require a language test for a study permit: neither the eligibility page nor the document list mentions one, and the Student Direct Stream ended on November 8, 2024. Institutions set their own requirements: check with the one admitting you. Later, for a post-graduation work permit, IRCC will ask for one of the five approved tests, taken in person, less than two years old.

IELTS or TCF Canada?

For a French speaker from Cameroon, the question is worth asking before paying. TCF Canada also opens the draws reserved for French speakers, and a good level in both languages adds points. We explain it here: /en/article/tirage-francophone-score-tcf

If you choose IELTS, our simulator trains you on the four IELTS sections: /en/prepa-ielts.html And to find out which test serves your profile best, the free assessment answers in a few minutes: /en/evaluation.html