As the number of English proficiency tests required for economic immigration to Canada increases, the range of choices for test takers is expected to expand.
The Federal Immigration Department said it plans to increase the number of nationally recognized language proficiency tests to certify the language proficiency required for immigration procedures.
Since 2010, only the results of language tests conducted by designated institutions have been accepted by the Ministry of Immigration as evidence of language ability.
Currently, at the time of document screening, the Ministry of Immigration only accepts scores of four types of language tests: IELTS IELTS and CELPIP for English, and TESF TCF for French.
With this measure, there may be more than one type of English test that the federal government will additionally allow, and it is highly likely that it will be introduced early or mid-next year.
An official from Korean immigration consulting said on the 3rd, “It is good news for many immigrant hopefuls who have been disadvantaged even though their language ability has been recognized through other English tests.”
This measure can also benefit Koreans who are preparing for citizenship. Foreigners between the ages of 18 and 54 are required to prove their English proficiency to apply for citizenship, as various tests are more likely to be accepted in the process.
Meanwhile, while the federal government implemented a one-time special program that grants permanent residency to foreign temporary workers and international students, a website went down as applicants flocked to obtain English test scores, one of the qualifications required.
In response, the federal government hastily started to evolve the situation by adding a test schedule, but the opinion that the English test should be diversified has been raised in the immigration industry.