An exhaust emission control device for an internal combustion engine according to the present disclosure includes an exhaust emission control catalyst provided in an exhaust passage in an internal combustion engine and divided into a preceding catalyst and a succeeding catalyst, and a heating device provided in the exhaust passage between the preceding catalyst and the succeeding catalyst. The exhaust emission control catalyst is divided into the preceding catalyst and the succeeding catalyst so that a ratio of a capacity of the preceding catalyst to a total displacement of the internal combustion engine is from 0.3 to 1.5.