Establishing minimum language requirements, depending on the immigrant’s occupational skill level
Before June 26, 2010, CIC accepted written evidence from potential Federal skilled workers, as an option, for evaluation of their language skills. After June 26, 2010, CIC has changed the rules and now require applicants to submit official language tests results, as the only option, from the following designated organizations :
- Paragon Testing Enterprises Inc., University of British Columbia administers the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) ( For application in Canada)
- The University of Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate, Education Australia, and the British Council administer the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), "General trainging option". ( For applications from outside Canada)
- The Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry administers the Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF).
At this time, CIC only accept tests from these organizations, so don't even think of sending results other than the listed above.
2005 study by statistics Canada, shows that employment rates increased with the ability of the new immigrant to speak an official language, and language proficiency had the biggest impact on their ability to find work in either a high-skilled profession or their intended field.
Recently, CIC officers were very conservative in awarding points to applicants without proof of language proficiency tests, and fewer applicants are able to slip through the language cracks if they score high on other factors such as education and work experience. These applicants find themselves un-employed, or under-employed becasue of their language proficiency level, which is not good for the integrity of the immigration system and the welfare of the applicant.
CIC wants to stop this and propose increasing the maximum points awarded for proficiency in the first official language from 16 to 20, and establishing minimum language requirements, depending on the immigrant’s occupational skill level.
CIC will go through the Canadian occupational profiles to assess the language level required and compare that to what the intended FSW immigrant provided with his or her immigration application.
The weight of this will lay on the shoulders of managers or professionals. They would have to show documents ( language Test results) a higher level of language proficiency and will be awarded accordingly, becasue their indendent occuaption in Canada demands that, and if they fail to show that their applications will be rejected based on the new redistribution of the points.
On the other hand, tradespeople, skilled manual workers and craftsmen, requires less a different requirement from tradespeople, will require lower level of language proficiency, add to that, they will require less years of education to claim points for non-acedemic credentials.
so, there you have it, CIC is customizing the language requirement for new FSW applicants and linking it to their intended occupation in Canada. This will make the program more accessible to skilled tradespeople and manual skills as opposed to professional or managerial occupations.
Get new blog posts like this by email Free
Know your immigration options, Chat with an immigration expert
Add Me on Facebook
Contact Me on Twiter
Follow Me on Youtube.com
Click here for Discount Arifare Tickets to and From Canada
Click here for Canada Travel and Health Insurance For New Immigrants, Visitors and International Students Click here to Expand your Immigration to Canada Search
Canada Immigration Pre-paid Direct Chat Line
Click here to Chat With an immigration Expert
Get My Podcast Playbacks
