CELPIP in the Philippines: Test Centres, Registration and How to Prepare
By CELPass Editorial Team · Updated
CELPIP has been available in the Philippines since 2018, and many Filipino applicants already working in English choose it for Canadian permanent residence. This guide covers the test centres, booking and payment, the score to aim for and how to prepare. Confirm dates and fees on the official CELPIP website before you pay.
Can I take the CELPIP test in the Philippines?
Yes. CELPIP-General is offered at official test centres in Metro Manila, and IRCC accepts the result for Express Entry and other permanent residence programs exactly as it does a test taken in Canada.
Australia's Department of Home Affairs has also accepted CELPIP-General for visa applications since 7 August 2025.
Where are the CELPIP test centres in the Philippines?
Official CELPIP listings show centres in Manila and Makati City. Applicants from the Visayas and Mindanao usually travel to Metro Manila, so book a date that leaves room for the trip.
| City | Centre (from official CELPIP listings) |
|---|---|
| Manila (Ermita) | Magsaysay Center for Hospitality and Culinary Arts, Times Plaza Building, United Nations Avenue |
| Makati City | Ateneo de Manila University, Salcedo Campus |
Centres and addresses can change. Check the current list and the next sittings on the CELPIP website before you plan travel.
How much does CELPIP cost in the Philippines, and how do I pay?
The fee is set in Philippine pesos plus applicable taxes and is shown when you book on the CELPIP website. You can pay online by card, and the official CELPIP website also describes cash payment through Approved CELPIP Registration Agents (ACRA) in the Philippines.
If you pay through an agent, use only an agent listed on the official CELPIP website and keep your receipt and booking confirmation.
How do I register for CELPIP in the Philippines?
Create an account on the official CELPIP website using your name exactly as it appears on your passport, choose CELPIP-General and a Manila or Makati sitting, then pay online or through an approved agent.
- Create your CELPIP account with your passport name.
- Choose CELPIP-General (CELPIP-General LS is for Canadian citizenship only).
- Pick a centre and a date that leaves time for one full mock test first.
- Pay online, or in cash through an approved registration agent.
- Bring your original passport on test day and arrive at the time in your confirmation.
Should I take CELPIP or IELTS in the Philippines?
Choose CELPIP if you are comfortable on a computer and with North American accents; choose IELTS General Training if you need a test centre outside Metro Manila or prefer a face-to-face Speaking interview. IRCC treats both equally after conversion to CLB.
Many Filipino test takers find CELPIP's everyday situations, such as emailing a landlord, giving a friend advice or comparing two options, close to the English they already use at work, especially in BPO, healthcare and hospitality.
What CELPIP score do I need for Canada?
Federal Skilled Worker needs at least CLB 7 in every skill, and Canadian Experience Class needs CLB 7 or CLB 5 depending on the job's TEER level. Some other programs, including certain pilots, set lower minimums, so check the exact rule for your program on the IRCC website.
For Express Entry, CLB 9 in all four skills adds many more CRS points than CLB 7, and it is often the difference between waiting and getting an invitation.
Which English habits from the Philippines cost marks in CELPIP?
Filipino test takers usually do well in Listening and Speaking fluency, and lose marks on small grammar slips and on register in Writing. A few patterns come up often.
| Common pattern | More natural in CELPIP |
|---|---|
| I will just inform you that the payment is late. | I'm writing to let you know that the payment will be late. |
| He is already working there since 2020. | He has been working there since 2020. |
| Can you borrow me your car? | Can I borrow your car? / Can you lend me your car? |
| Please be guided accordingly. | Please let me know if you have any questions. |
| I will be the one to call the landlord. | I'll call the landlord. |
| Fillers such as "ano" or "like" in Speaking | A short pause, or "Let me think about that" |
Office phrases that sound polite at work, such as "please be guided" or "for your reference", can sound stiff in a friendly email. Match the tone to the person you are writing to.
How should I prepare for CELPIP from the Philippines?
Take a timed diagnostic, work on your weakest skill every day, and sit at least one full mock test before you book. Shift workers can study in short blocks: daily 10-minute drills on a phone and one longer timed session on a day off work well.
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CELPass is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with Paragon Testing Enterprises. CELPIP is a trademark of Paragon Testing Enterprises. Check the official CELPIP website and IRCC for current test rules and requirements.