IELTS mandatory at the time of first application?

[digitalmyself]

I have not taken IELTS yet ; Plan to appear after the the initial application.

IELTS mandatory at time of 1st application?

Can't i submitt it later?

 

[tinuadeadebola]

hi
UPTO THE 9TH OF APRIL 2010, IT IS NOT COMPULSORY BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION. THERE IS HOWEVER A NEW REGULATION THAT HAS JUST BEEN RELEASED MAKINH IELTS PROOF COMPULSORY AT THE TIME OF INITIAL SUBMISSION. IF I WERE YOU I WOULD APPLY NOW BEFORE THE 10TH OF APRIL WHEN THE NEW LAW COMES INTO EFFECT.
THIS IS JUST MY LIMITED KNOWLEDGE AM SURE THE SENIORS WILL EXPLAIN BETTER

TINU

 

[MSMirza]

You do not need to send IELTS to CIO even if you are submitting your application after April 10, 2010

Applicants do not need to submit any proof of language proficiency (IELTS) to CIO NS at the time of initial submission.

The instruction in section 10.10 of OP 6 that visa officers will offer applicants a second chance to submit conclusive evidence of language proficiency will not apply to applications received on or after April 10, 2010.

Before this, Visa Officers had the discretion to give a 2nd chance to the applicants, who do not provide IELTS or some other conclusive proof of language proficiency but rely on written submission, to submit IELTS or some other conclusive proof of language proficiency for the points claimed in English or French Language.

Now after this amendment, if applicants rely on written submissions and do not submit IELTS, then Officers will not and cannot give them a 2nd chance to provide IELTS and will award the points on the basis of written submissions only.

So non-natives need to submit IELTS but not to CIO but with full application to Visa Officer after approval from CIO.


Mirza.

 

[dhan]

@Mirza - If the CIO were to give a score based on the written submission. How would I know what score I received?

- If I don't become eligible based on this score, can I re-apply after taking IELTS?.

I understand from your explanation that either ways the candidate cannot help (ie: whether the score is known or not, because there's no second chance to take IELTS and submit the score to the visa officer).

Also, please advise on my situation. I took IELTS 4 yrs back and this score is not valid. However, I've done a Master's degree in the US. Will this be a strong point for me to just submit a written statement and meet CIO's requirements?. I don't really want to take IELTS since i) I've already taken it years back ii) my touch with the english language has only increased. Please advise.

 

[haral]

My advice is.... take IELTS nonetheless. take no chances wth this... since this is a major decision of your life and a small mistake can reverse the hard work you have put in to apply and wait....