The short answer: CLB 7, or CLB 9 for top points
Express Entry's Federal Skilled Worker stream needs a minimum of CLB 7 in English — that's roughly IELTS 6.0 in each of the four skills. But the minimum isn't the goal: hitting CLB 9 (about Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0, Speaking 7.0) unlocks the largest block of language points in the CRS, and language is the biggest factor most applicants can actually move.
Two people with the same job and degree can be tens of CRS points apart purely on English. That's why getting your level honestly assessed early — and improving the weakest skill — is often the highest-leverage thing you can do for your PR application.
How CLB, IELTS, and CEFR relate
CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks) is the framework Canada uses; IELTS and CELPIP are the official tests that map to it. CEFR is the European framework Nivelo aligns to. CLB and CEFR are separate systems, so any CLB↔CEFR comparison is rough — useful for orientation, not for an official number.
As loose anchors: CEFR B2 sits around CLB 6–7 / IELTS ~6.0, and CEFR C1 around CLB 8–9 / IELTS ~7.0–8.0. Use these to gauge whether you're in the conversation for CLB 7 vs CLB 9 — then confirm the exact requirements on Canada.ca.
Check your level free before you book
A designated test like IELTS General Training or CELPIP is the only thing IRCC accepts — and it costs roughly $250–300. Before you book it, a free self-check tells you whether you're realistically near CLB 7, near CLB 9, or still a level away.
Nivelo's free 5-minute test gives you a CEFR range and shows your weakest skill. If your reading is strong but your writing lags, that's the skill costing you CRS points — and the one to fix before you pay for the official test.