Free IELTS Online Course

One of the major challenges in getting a Permanent Resident status in Canada is passing the mandatory IELTS Examination/Test.  It is extra challenging if you are currently busy with work and can't attend a formal IELTS Review offered by many IELTS Review Center. Having said that, this FREE IELTS Online Course offered by British Council is definitely a gem.

IELTS Unlimited Review Gift Certificate | JROOZ Review Center

Here's an early Christmas Gift from JROOZ Review Center!

Canadian Immigration Consultancy - Gateway to Canada have been referring clients to JROOZ Review Center for almost a year now.  Feedback from our clients were very positive and thus, we're formally endorsing JROOZ Review Center.  

Print this coupon and get P500 discount!

JROOZ offers IELTS Unlimited Review for P5,000.  But if you present this coupon, you will be entitled to P500 discount!

For inquiry, you may contact:

Michael John Espiritu
Marketing AssociateJrooz Review Center,Inc.
Mobile:09175274793
Email:mj@jroozreview.com

IELTS Score and CLB Level Equivalent

Here's the official IELTS Score and Canadian Language Benchmark Level Equivalency table.

CLB Level	Test results for each ability
	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
9	8.0 – 9.0	7.0 – 9.0	7.0 – 9.0	7.0 – 9.0
8	7.5	6.5	6.5	6.5
7	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0
6	5.5	5.0	5.5	5.5
5	5.0	4.0	5.0	5.0
4	4.5	3.5	4.0	4.0

This will be used for Federal Skilled Trades Program and possibly for the new Federal Skilled Worker Program, too.  General Training Module is the required module for both programs.

To be eligible for Federal Skilled Trades Program, applicant must meet the minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing.

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. It is one of the systems used by Citizenship and Immigration Canada to measure applicant's English Language proficiency.

JROOZ: Making a Difference in IELTS Prep Course

The new Federal Skilled Worker Program will start accepting applications on May 4, 2013 with a new points system.  The new program will give more value to younger applicants and English language proficiency.  Thus, you must really prepare before writing the IELTS Examination to save time and money.

The test preparation industry is vast and the choices are many, some of which even offer immigration consultancy services sans the expertise and track record.  It is not mandatory to enroll for a formal IELTS review course, but it is highly recommended that you do. And be sure to enroll with a reliable review center like JROOZ Review Center.

The JROOZ Difference

Three things make this review center a cut from the rest: the easy-to-digest laderized program, its intensive coaching sessions, and its endorsement procedure.

The 5-day program JROOZ offers is enough to instill the basics of acing the IELTS examination. Apart from in-depth discussion of each subtest, the program also walks students concepts and skills needed for the examination: grammar review, word usage, formal communication style, interview techniques, and pronunciation skills.

After the 5-day program, the candidates for the IELTS are further prepared through intensive coaching sessions, application of techniques and concepts learned in the first 5 days, real time feedback, and dissecting practice examinations to better understand the way the test is crafted.

Real time feedback and constant consultation with coaches and lecturers give students an idea of their readiness to take the examination. If the student is ready, then he or she is endorsed. Endorsement assures the student that he or she has a 98% chance of passing the IELTS.

That's what JROOZ Review Center claims, which we happened to witness through our clients' feedback.

Canadian Immigration Consultancy - Gateway to Canada have been referring clients to JROOZ Review Center for almost a year now.  Feedback from our clients were very positive and thus, we're formally endorsing JROOZ Review Center.

Here's one of the comments about JROOZ from one of our clients:

“JROOZ  really helped me to become what I am capable of. They didn’t just teach me how to pass the IELTS exam, but they also inspired me to be what I know I could be. They made sure I’ve got all the help I needed.” 

 For more information about JROOZ Review Center, visit http://www.jroozreview.com.

IELTS Examination Is No Hindrance

Ms. Marigold Rocero, a Registered Nurse, is one of those who opted for the Acedemic Module when they took the IELTS examination. General Training Module is the required module but there was a period in the past that Academic Module is being accepted. Thus, those with IELTS exam result ready, even if it's Academic Module, were submitted just the same in filing their application. But Citizenship and Immigration Canada eventually implemented strictly the rule on IELTS module requirement.

Taking another IELTS examination did not become a hindrance to achieve her dream of living and working in Canada. As they say, if there's a will, there's a way.

She went to Canada last November 2011 and is now based in British Columbia, where a Nurses Union is demanding additional 2,000 more staff nurses rather than pushing for any wage hikes. If it doesn't sound a great opportunity for her, I don't know what is.

With Ms. Rocero in the picture is PIA Corp's Senior Documentation Specialist, Ms. Irene Delara.

Interested to live and work in Canada, too? Click Here for Free Online Assessment.

Language Proficiency Is The Key

Your success, is our success.

This is why we are reminding you again of the importance of getting your application ready for July 2012.

By now, you should have at least logged on to http://clients.go2canada.com to fill up the application forms and or update your information. Please contact your Assigned Agents as soon as possible to submit your documents for checking. Get in touch with your job description reviewers and get your employment related documents ready.

If you have not taken an IELTS Examination yet, you should schedule it as soon as possible, but make necessary preparations before the exam. If you already have the IELTS exam results but you have scores lower than 6.5, you may want to consider taking the exam again.

The proposed changes to Canada's Federak Skilled Workers (FSW) program's points system will be implemented through the Ministerial Instruction 5 (MI-5). The new points system is still based on the six selection criteria but gives more value to language proficiency and less on work experience. The will be a required minimum level of language profiency depending on the applicant's occupation skills. This means a lower language requirement for a Welder than a Nurse. The maximum points to be awarded for proficiency in the first official language may be increased from 16 to 20.

There will also be a possible chang in the Age criteria, placing greater emphasis on youunger workers.

These changes may or may not be favorable depending on your circumstances. Then again, this is just a proposal and may not necessarily be final. But one thing is certain, change brings opportunity if you will plan ahead.

FREE Online IELTS Simulation Test

For clients of Canadian Immigration Consultancy who can't visit our office for the FREE IELTS Simulation Test, you can now do the IELTS simulation test online!

Simply visit http://clients.go2canada.com and log on using your username and password.

Canadian Language Benchmarks | FSW Language Points System

Most applicants were expecting changes to be introduced through Ministerial Instruction 3 (MI-3) but there wasn't any. Well, except for the reduction in numbers of applications to be received and just recently the new applications forms and guidlines. But the proposed changes in FSW Points System was not implemented. Not yet.

Last week, there's this client who thinks he know better and insisted that there were changes in the Language criteria, specifically in calculating your points using your IELTS score. According to him, to get 4 points for Listening, Writing, Reading and Speaking, one must have at least scored 8.

His reference is the Canadian Language Benchmark 8.

After explaining to him what Benchmark 8 means, he then realized his mistake.

Then yesterday night, another client came to the office and was also insisting that there were changes in the IELTS score points system. She was so confident and was telling me she would no longer file her application because she can't get the IELTS Benchmark 8.

I am also receiving several emails asking about this Language Benchmark 8. It appears that some applicants are being confused with what they read from the official Citizneship ang Immigration Canada website.

I hope this post will help clarify the confusion.

First, what are the Canadian Language Benchmarks?

The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) are the national standard used in Canada for describing, measuring and recognizing the English language proficiency of adult immigrants and prospective immigrants for living and working in Canada.

The Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CCLB) promotes and supports the recognition and use of the CLB as a practical, fair and reliable national standard of second language proficiency in educational, training, community and workplace settings.

The CLB provide a descriptive scale of communicative proficiency in English as a Second Language, expressed as benchmarks or reference points. They cover four skill areas: reading, writing, speaking and listening, and use real life language tasks to measure language skills.

The CLB provide a framework of reference for learning, teaching, programming and assessing adult English as a Second Language in Canada, a national standard for planning second language curricula for a variety of contexts, and a common "yardstick" for assessing the outcomes. [Source]

The CLB's 12 benchmarks are divided into 3 parts:

Stage I: Basic Proficiency (Levels 1-4)
Stage II: Intermediate Proficiency (Levels 5-8)
Sage III: Advanced Proficiency (Levels 9-12)

Canadian Language Benchmark 8 is not equal to IELTS Score of 8. There are no changes in the IELTS Score Points System.

To get 4 points for Listening, your score must be at least 7.5. To get 4 points each for Writing, Reading and Speaking, you need to get at least 6.5. And it should be General Training module.

The problem with CIC official website is that the page where they explain the language factor is that they provided a link to explain the Canadian Language Benchmark and its description but there's no link to the page where they explain how to compute your points using your IELTS Score.

I'm providing the link here for your reference: http://www.cic.gc.ca/English/information/applications/guides/EG72.asp#results.

On IELTS Requirement; Genenral Training or Academic, One Year or Two Years

Here's to answer all those questions about IELTS Exam requirement. If you visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada's website particularly the immigration section, you will see this announcement:

It's a clear-cut policy. 2 years. Why insist a one year rule?

It's because of this important notice from Appendix A Checklist for Federal Skilled Work applications.

It says if there is conflict between the guide (Appendix A) and other publications, the Appendix A is to be followed.

Now, this is what is written in the said guide:

It says language test results must not be older than one year upon submission.

So which do you follow?

It may have been that the Appendix A is not yet updated. But based on how Centralized Intake Office (CIO) handles applications it received, I wouldn't take that risk. Please note however, that the Visa Office in Manila accepts language test results that are older than one year even prior to the announcement that 2 year language test result is now acceptable.

Based on the guidelines, IELTS requirement is General Training and not Academic. But the Visa Office in Manila accepts Academic option just the same. It actually makes sense. Academic is relatively more difficult than the General Training option. But if you submit IELTS Academic option to CIO, it will not be accepted.

Be guided. Small mistakes cause BIG problem.

FREE IELTS Simulation Test and Evaluation for CIC Clients

Canadian Immigration Consultancy provides FREE IELTS Simulation Test and Evaluation through its partner, CANU International English Language Centre, Inc.



Simulation test and evaluation is done daily, from Monday to Saturday. Prior schedule must be arranged, CANU we will not entertain late comers. Below is the schedule for CIC clients' information:

9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. – Filling up of registration form
9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Listening Test
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Reading Test
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon – Writing Test

15-30 minutes recap and instructions

12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. – Lunch Break
1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Speaking test (one-on-one @ 15-20 minutes each client)

Result and evaluation of simulation test will be made available within 2 days via email.

Requirements:

1. Valid ID
2. 1 pc. 1x1 colored recent photo
3. pencil, eraser, sharpener
4. CIC Contract details

IELTS Exam is mandatory for Federal Skilled Worker program and Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.

Expired IELTS | Returned Application from CIO

IELTS Examination Results do not expire, it's the institution requiring the IELTS Examination that sets up a period of time in which the results may be accepted. In the case of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, particularly the Centralized Intake Office (CIO), they strictly require that your IELTS Examination Results should not be more than one year at the time of submission of your application.

An expired IELTS Examination Result will result to a returned application, unprocessed.


An excerpt from a letter from CIO returning the application unprocessed due to expired IELTS Exam results. The application here took the IELTS Exam July 2009 and sent the application to CIO Aug 2010. And CIO still returned the application?!

Apparently, the Visa Office in Manila is more reasonable. They are accepting IELTS Exam result even older than one year. CIO should do the same at least on a case to case basis. Or better yet, make it two years instead of one year only.

It's not like your language proficiency will deteriorate after 13 months. Does it? I hope they change this rule.

Changes on the proof of language proficiency rule

Language proficiency is one of the six selection factors in Canada's Points System. To prove language proficiency in French or English, applicants could either submit IELTS Examination Results or a written submission to a visa officer. The written submission was intended for people whose first language is either English or French. If the Visa Officer is not satisfied with the written submission, they are required to offer these applicants the opportunity to submit the results of a designated language test within a certain time period. That was rule before.

Effective April 10, 2010, this rule will be changed.

Improvements to proof of language rules will increase fairness, reduce delays, says Immigration Minister

Ottawa, March 10, 2010 — The Government of Canada is streamlining the process for assessing the language skills of applicants to the Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience classes, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today.

“The language requirements themselves have not changed,” said Minister Kenney. “But beginning April 10, 2010, prospective immigrants will be required to prove their English and French language abilities at the time they apply. This requirement supports our commitment to fast, fair and efficient application processing.”

Previously, to prove language ability in French or English, applicants could either submit an independent, third-party test or a written submission to a visa officer. The written submission was intended for people whose first language is either English or French. However, many applicants whose first language was not English or French were taking advantage of the written submission. The submission wouldn’t adequately prove their ability and they would have to provide further evidence, leading to processing delays that could take months.[Source]

This change in the proof of language proficiency rules shouldn't really affect you if you are a client of Canadian Immigration Consultancy. We do not encourage written submission as proof of language proficiency, as we know that it will only cause delay in the process and worst, possible cause of refusal.

On IELTS Exam Result expiration for PR Visa Application

If you have read my previous entry, Is IELTS Exam Results Subject to Expiration?, I stated there that for PR Visa application, the Visa Office requires that your IELTS Exam result should not be older than one year. That is true and it is in fact written in the Citizenship and Immigration Canada guidelines.

But what if your IELTS Exam result is one year and 2 months old, do you really need to write the examination again?

Consider two things:

1. IF you write the exam again, you will need to pay another P8,640. Whether you have enough or limited funds, the amount is still material.

2. What is the worst scenario if you submit IELTS Exam result that is older than one year? Do you think it will cause refusal? Probably not. The worst could be a delay in processing as the visa office may write you a letter requiring you to write the exam again.

I guess you already know where I'm leading.

Based on our experience, it is ok to submit IELTS Exam results older that than one year but less than two years. But if you don't want to take the risk of delaying the process, go ahead and write the exam again.

Is IELTS Exam Results Subject to Expiration?

IELTS Exam Results, per se, is not subject to expiration. So to answer the question, Is IELTS Exam Results Subject to Expiration?, that depends on where you will use the IELTS Exam Results and which institution requires it.

Here's what the British Council has to say about the IELTS Exam Results or the Test Report Form.

Do IELTS results expire?

No. The Test Report Form only shows the date when the test was taken. The institution requiring IELTS has the right to set up a period of time in which the results may be accepted. There is a general rule which recommends that any proficiency test should be accepted during two years of having passed the exam.

If you are submitting the IELTS Exam Results to Canadian Visa Office for your Federal Skilled Worker program immigrant visa application, you can use language test results for one year from the time you took the test according to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

Cover Letter: Below 67 points pass mark due to IELTS Score

"I received a positive assessment from Centralized Intake Office but I did not meet the 67 points pass mark using the points system due to my IELTS Examination Score. What options do I have? Can you help me prepare a cover letter?"

That was an email message I received from one of my blog readers after reading my post regarding Substituted Evaluation.

First off, if you don't meet the 67 points pass mark using the points system, your application will be refused. Although the Visa Officer has the option to invoke substituted evaluation, there must be a strong justification before they can do that.

So to help you present your case with the end in view of getting a favorable evaluation, your cover letter must contain information that may help justify a substituted evaluation such as:

Your spouse profile (education, skills and work experience)

Support from relatives and friends in Canada

Work experience in Canada or Canadian company

Trade or professional registration/certification from Canadian regulatory body

Remember, however, that a cover letter will not change the fact that you did not meet the pass mark and technically you are not eligible. So before taking the IELTS Examination, prepare yourself by undergoing an IELTS Review and Test Simulation

IELTS Exemptions Under Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)

Part of the criteria in determining your eligibility under the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) - Family Stream is the English Language proficiency. You and your spouse must have obtained an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) minimum score of 4.0.

But you may be considered exempt from the need to demonstrate language ability if-

If you reside in any of the following countries:

American Samoa
Gibraltar
South Pacific Islands
Anguilla
Grenada
St Helena
Antigua and Barbuda
Guam
St Kitts and Nevis
Australia
Guyana
St Lucia
Bahamas
Ireland
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Barbados
Jamaica
Scotland
Belize
Malta
Trinidad and Tobago
Bermuda
Mauritius
Turks and Caicos Islands
Canada
Montserrat
United Kingdom
Cayman Islands
New Zealand
United States of America
Dominica
Puerto Rico
Virgin Islands
England
Ryukyu Islands
Wales
Falkland Islands
Seychelles
Zimbabwe
Fiji
Singapore
France
South Africa

If you are from the Philippines, you may still be exempted to demonstrate language ability if you and your spouse completed a minimum of a bachelor’s degree at one of the following institutions:

Adamson University
Benguet State University
Central Mindanao University
Central Philippine University
Far Eastern University
Iligan Institute of Tech of the Mindanao State U
Mindanao State University
Notre Dame University
Philippine Dominican Ctr of Institutional Studies
Silliman University
University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos
University of San Carlos
Xavier University

The AINP reserves the right to require that the Candidate and their Spouse/Common-law partner complete an IELTS or TEF assessment.

Notice to FSW applications filed after Feb 27, 2008

If you have a Federal Skilled Worker Class application filed after February 27, 2008 and your occupation is included in the list of 38 high demand occupations, you will soon receive a notice from the Visa Office requiring you to submit supporting documents and new sets of application forms. The Visa Office in Manila is now sending their notices.

This is an excerpt from the sent by the Visa Office to our clients:

We have assessed your declared occupation(s) against the list of eligible occupations identified by the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism and published in the Canada Gazette on 28 November 2008. Your application is being considered for further assessment by our office. You are therefore requested to submit a full application.

Submitting your Full Application

Go to www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/skilled.asp to download the Federal Skilled worker guide and application forms.

Your full application must consist of the following:

A copy of this letter with the reference number above

Application for Permanent Residence in Canada [ IMM 008]

Schedule 1: Background/Declaration [IMM 008 SCHEDULE 1]

Additional Family Information [IMM 5406]

Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (if applicable)

Schedule 3: Economic Classes [IMM 008 SCHEDULE 3]

Visa office-specific documents

Please be advised that proof of language proficiency is required in your application to be considered complete, otherwise it will be returned to you. You are strongly encouraged to provide proof of language skills and to take the language proficiency test (IELTS/TEF). If you do so, you will be able to see exactly how many points you will receive for the language factor according to your test results. Written submissions must follow the format described in the Canadian Language Benchmarks. Submissions that do not meet this standard will not be accepted and this will be reflected in the language points assigned.

You have 120 days from the date of this letter to prepare and submit these forms and supporting documentation. If your full application is not received within this time, we will assume you are no longer interested and close your file. Documents must be submitted in a SINGLE package. Do not submit any documents until you have prepared the entire package. We will make a decision on your application on the basis of the documents you provide at that time.

Please note, however, that this is not a guarantee that your application will be approved. So please do not dispose of any of your properties if that is what you intend to do.

Furthermore, since Philippines is not considered majority English-speaking country, it is highly recommended for you to take IELTS Examination.

New IELTS Exam Results Points System

Previously I've posted an entry about International English Language Testing System (IELTS) telling you that it is not mandatory. It remains to be true even after the Ministerial instructions affecting the new Federal Skilled Worker program. However, please note that Citizenship and Immigration Canada strongly suggests that you provide the results if English or French is not your first language.

There is also a new points system for your IELTS exam results:

Level	Points (per ability)	Test results for each ability
		Speaking	Listening	Reading (General Training)	Writing (General Training)
High	First official language: 4	6.5 - 9.0	7.5 - 9.0	6.5 - 9.0	6.5 - 9.0
	Second official language: 2
Moderate	Either official language: 2	5.5 - 6.0	5.5 - 7.0	5.0 - 6.0	5.5 - 6.0
Basic	Either official language: 1 (maximum of 2)	4.0 - 5.0	4.5 - 5.0	3.5 - 4.5	4.0 - 5.0
No	0	Less than 4.0	Less than 4.5	Less than 3.5	Less than 4.0

The following are considered majority English-speaking countries and may be allowed to submit alternative documentation to support English language proficiency:

• Antigua & Barbuda
• Australia
• The Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• New zealand
• St Kitts & Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent & the Grenadines
• Trinidad & Tobago
• The USA

But just the same, it is always best to take the IELTS Exam. It is also best to undergo IELTS review and test simulation before taking the actual examination.

New Federal Skilled Worker Application

Based on the Immigration Minister's instrucitons, you are eligible to apply under Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) category if you have have: (1) an Arranged Employment Opinion (AEO), or (2) you are a foreign national who has been living legally in Canada for one year as a temporary foreign worker or an international student, or (3) you are a skilled worker who has at least one year of experience in one or more of the high demand occupations or what is now commonly called Canada's List of 38 Occupations.

If you have a pending permanent resident visa application under the Federal Skilled Worker category, here's how this will affect your application and what actions you may take in order to realize your dream of living and working in Canada.

For applications filed before February 27, 2008
All applications filed before February 27, 2008 shall be processed in the manner existing at the time of their application. Most of those who filed in 2004 already got the result while some others are either asked to update their information or are just waiting for the result.

Just recently, those who filed in 2005 received a confirmation letter from the Visa Office, giving them the chance to withdraw their application if they are no longer interested. If you did not withdraw your application, it is expected that within a year, you will get a notice from the embassy to update your information.

If your occupation is on the list, you have the option to withdraw your application and then reapply. Considering that the Canadian Visa Office in Manila is processing those filed in 2004, you may consider this option if your application is filed in 2007.

While waiting for the next letter from the Visa Office, consider looking for a job offer from Canada. This may result to an expedited process through provincial nominee program or arranged employment opinion. Or enter Canada through a work permit while waiting for your immigrant visa. Here's how to find jobs in Canada.

For application filed after February 27, 2008 that are included in the list
Expect a notice from the Visa Office within 6 to 12 months from now. While waiting for this notice, here's what you may do:

1. Get your documents ready
2. Prepare your settlement funds
3. Prepare yourself for IELTS Examination. Although IELTS is not mandatory, it is to your advantage if you will prepare yourself. The best way to establish your english language proficiency is though your IELTS Score. Get a comprehensive IELTS Review and Test Simulation before taking the exam.

Application filed after February 27, 2008 but is not included in the list

There are two possible scenario here.

A. Your application may still be processed depening on the Immigration Minister's Instruction.

In this case, you just have to wait until your application get processed. While waiting for the next letter from the embassy, consider looking for a job offer from Canada. This may result to expedited process through provincial nominee program or arranged employment opinion. Or enter Canada through a work permit while waiting for your immigrant visa. Here's how to find jobs in Canada.

B. Your application will be returned returned and your processing fee will be refunded.


If your application is returned, it doesn't mean that you will no longer have the chance to live and work in Canada. Here's an excerpt from the Ministerial Instructions-

The list of eligibility criteria outlined in the Action Plan for Faster Immigration's instructions for processing federal skilled worker applications are meant to reflect Canada's labour market needs. The instructions can be adjusted over time as the labour market changes, in consultation with provinces, territories and stakeholders.

If your application is returned, you just have to wait until the list of eligible occupation changes. While at that, get your documents ready. Try to maximime your network in Canada and the Internet to find a job offer.

How to file an application under Federal Skilled Worker Category

Simplified application process will no longer be used. Application forms to be used may be downloaded here. All Federal Skilled Worker class application without an AEO will now be processed at Centralized Intake Office in Sydney Nova Scotia.

The same points system (six selection criteria) will be used in evaluating your application. You may send your resume to aapuntar@go2canada.com for FREE ASSESSMENT if you are interested to apply under Federal Skilled Worker Category.

Proposal to make language testing mandatory

I have previously written that IELTS Examnation is not mandatory for Federal Skilled Worker applicants. That a written submission or other evidence to support language proficiency may be submitted instead of a third party test like IELTS.

This may change once the proposed Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (Permanent Residents) concerning the language assessment for Federal Skilled Worker applicants is approved.

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) [section 79] state that federal skilled worker applicants may demonstrate their language proficiency by either submitting the results of a designated third-party language test, or a written submission. Regardless of which option is chosen, both are assessed against one standard in the awarding of language points—the Canadian Language Benchmarks, for English, or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens 2006, for French. The Department is planning to repeal the option of providing a written submission and require all federal skilled worker applicants to submit the results of third-party language tests as proof of language proficiency. This will also apply to business class immigrants, as they are required to comply with section 79, as stated in paragraph 102(1)(c). The impact on business class immigrants will be minimal, given that they have a substantially lower pass mark. Consequently, very few business class applicants require language points in order to be selected.[Source]

This proposal is being opposed by The Canadian Bar Association saying the mandatory testing is unnecessary and excessively burdensome.

If you are applying for permanent residence in Canada, it is best that you prepare yourself by getting an IELTS Review and Test Simulation before you write the IELTS Examination.