Canadian Immigration makes language rules 'fairer'
March 12 2010 by Liam Clifford
Jason Kenney, the Canadian immigration minister, has announced a new streamlined language assessment process for Canada visa applicants.
The new rules will apply
to people looking for a Canadian visa under the skilled worker and Canadian
experience classes. Minister Kenney stated, “The language requirements
themselves have not changed. 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.”
The changes are intended to make
the Canadian visa application system fairer. Previously, applicants were able to
provide a written submission to a visa offer to prove their language
capabilities, despite the fact that these submissions were not always a clear
indicator of their ability. As a result, these applicant were being asked to
provide further evidence, potentially delaying their visa applications by
months.
Minister Kenney continued to explain the new rules, “we expect
that applicants will have the language skills they claim on their application.
Now, applicants in these categories will have only one opportunity to prove
their language ability. They can still make a written submission to a visa
officer if they wish, but only once.”
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