anu18 said:
Thanks for detail reply.
I have one more question for language proficiency.
Who is eligible to give "declaration statement about English proficiency"?
The principal applicant can make a declaratory statement about his/her English Language proficiency, if the applicant's first language is not English.
Applicants from countries in which the native language is not English have claimed that IELTS was waived for them. But strangely enough, these applicants fail to enlighten us on their educational and /or work experience background; thus giving other applicants a false sense of security that waiver of IELTS can be granted to applicants whose first language is not English. Do not fall into that trap.
DECLARATORY STATEMENT
When an applicant's first language is not English, and the applicant would like to have an IELTS waiver, the applicant must make an affidavit that serves as a Declaratory Statement as well as to why he/she should be granted the waiver.
Your declaratory statement should state why you consider yourself English proficient; usually, this includes factors such as:
1. Having done most of your education in an English speaking country like the U.S., Canada, U.K., New Zealand, and Austrailia.
2. If you completed your tertiary /post secondary education in any of the above countries; however, just doing the bachelors degree, or just doing a masters program might not be sufficient, but you can always base your statement on either.
3 Completing both bachelors and masters in any of the above countries, which adds up to at least 5 or 6 years of intense studies in English at the tertiary level, will be an advantage - but it is up to CIC though.
4. Maybe, you can have your English professor or any other professor attest to your English speaking and writing skills in the form of a notarized letter, which you can add as a supporting document to your statement.
5. Proof of your education in these countries through your diplomas, which is already part of your application anyway as proof of educational experience.
6. If you have a Ph.D from any of these countries.
7. If you have
published an academic paper /thesis - don't forget to include a notarized copy, if this applies to you. Bear in mind, I am not talking about the usual papers you did during your courses - I am referring to
an academic material that you authored and have published in an academic journal.
Lastly, remember that even if you can show any or most of the above factors, the discretionary authority for the waiver rests with CIC. If you do a declaratory statement, be prepared at the same time that CIC can always request later on for you to take the IELTS.
When an applicant sends in a declaratory statement with supporting documentation, but CIC still requests the applicant to do the IELTS later on, they usually give
120 days for you to complete and send in the original results.
If you send in a declaratory statement, please do not send in a weak statement with "flowery" language and no substantial proof.