Language testing now required for all Permanent Residence Applicants

On June 26^th, 2010 Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) announced amendments to the immigration procedures regarding language testing for  Permanent Residence Applicants. Applications submitted before June 26^th will not be subject to the new rules.

All applicants must now provide results from an officially designated language testing agency. These results must be submitted with the application for PR, or it will not be processed. Previously you could send a written submission documenting your language skills, but this is no longer acceptable. People whose first language is one of Canada's official languages must also undergo the test.

IELTS is the only CIC-approved language testing agency in Ontario. Only IELTS test results are acceptable for immigration purposes.IELTS has two options for the reading and writing tests: “General Training” and “Academic.” You must take the “General Training” option.

The test fee is $285, the closest IELTS testing sites are Toronto and Ottawa, times and dates are listed on the IELTS site.  The test takes an entire day and the only accepted ID is a valid passport which must be presented to take the test.

Test results are valid for two years from the date they were taken.