Re: Documents were sent however...
Welcome to the forum, mf007!
In terms of language testing, the rules depend on when you applied:
- The CIC announced on March 10 that: "“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.” ... “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,” said Minister Kenney. “They can still make a written submission to a visa officer if they wish, but only once.”
per http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2010/2010-03-10.asp
- The rules further changed on June 26 2010 with the New Ministerial Instructions (which also changed the list of "in-demand" NOC codes and the application process)
"Federal Skilled Worker applications (see footnote 1) received by the Centralized Intake Office in Sydney on or after June 26, 2010, accompanied by the results of the principal applicant's English or French language proficiency assessment, (see footnote 2) not exceeding the identified caps and that meet either of the following criteria shall be placed into processing:" per http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2010/2010-06-26/html/notice-avis-eng.html#3
and
"On changes to language testing
10. What changes are you making to the language requirements?
Under the changes to the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class, all new applicants are required to include the results of an English or French language test as part of their application.
Previously, applicants also had the option of proving their language ability via a written submission. The written submission was intended for people whose first language was English or French. However, non-native English and French speakers frequently used this option, making it difficult for visa officers to perform an accurate assessment of the applicant's true language ability. As a result CIC now only accepts designated third-party language tests as proof of language ability.
11. Are any applicants exempt from the mandatory language test? What about applicants from English or French speaking countries? Why would someone from England need to take an English test, for example?
There are no exceptions to this rule. We want to ensure that all applicants are evaluated against the same standards, no matter what their language of origin, nationality or ethnicity.
12. When did this change come into effect?
The change applies to all federal skilled worker and Canadian Experience Class applications received on or after June 26th, 2010. "
per http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/backgrounders/2010/2010-06-26c.asp
In terms of NOC codes, the list of 29 in-demand NOC codes is available at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-who-instructions.asp. If you've had at least one year full-time experience (or equivalent) in one of those within the last 10 years you can re-apply without an AEO. It may not feel like it, but you're very lucky if you can as several people have reported being ineligible overnight! Even though the CIC publicly announced changes were coming, many people got quite frustrated.
One more thing - PLEASE read the instructions carefully as more than just the above changed on June 26 2010. I started this thread to warn people about the fact that you now need to submit all the documents requested in the visa office specific checklist to the CIO with your initial application - you can get an overview with the following 3 posts: post 1, post 2 and post 3.
Welcome again (though I wish it were in better circumstances)!
mf007 said:
Welcome to the forum, mf007!
In terms of language testing, the rules depend on when you applied:
- The CIC announced on March 10 that: "“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.” ... “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,” said Minister Kenney. “They can still make a written submission to a visa officer if they wish, but only once.”
per http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2010/2010-03-10.asp
- The rules further changed on June 26 2010 with the New Ministerial Instructions (which also changed the list of "in-demand" NOC codes and the application process)
"Federal Skilled Worker applications (see footnote 1) received by the Centralized Intake Office in Sydney on or after June 26, 2010, accompanied by the results of the principal applicant's English or French language proficiency assessment, (see footnote 2) not exceeding the identified caps and that meet either of the following criteria shall be placed into processing:" per http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2010/2010-06-26/html/notice-avis-eng.html#3
and
"On changes to language testing
10. What changes are you making to the language requirements?
Under the changes to the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class, all new applicants are required to include the results of an English or French language test as part of their application.
Previously, applicants also had the option of proving their language ability via a written submission. The written submission was intended for people whose first language was English or French. However, non-native English and French speakers frequently used this option, making it difficult for visa officers to perform an accurate assessment of the applicant's true language ability. As a result CIC now only accepts designated third-party language tests as proof of language ability.
11. Are any applicants exempt from the mandatory language test? What about applicants from English or French speaking countries? Why would someone from England need to take an English test, for example?
There are no exceptions to this rule. We want to ensure that all applicants are evaluated against the same standards, no matter what their language of origin, nationality or ethnicity.
12. When did this change come into effect?
The change applies to all federal skilled worker and Canadian Experience Class applications received on or after June 26th, 2010. "
per http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/backgrounders/2010/2010-06-26c.asp
In terms of NOC codes, the list of 29 in-demand NOC codes is available at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-who-instructions.asp. If you've had at least one year full-time experience (or equivalent) in one of those within the last 10 years you can re-apply without an AEO. It may not feel like it, but you're very lucky if you can as several people have reported being ineligible overnight! Even though the CIC publicly announced changes were coming, many people got quite frustrated.
One more thing - PLEASE read the instructions carefully as more than just the above changed on June 26 2010. I started this thread to warn people about the fact that you now need to submit all the documents requested in the visa office specific checklist to the CIO with your initial application - you can get an overview with the following 3 posts: post 1, post 2 and post 3.
Welcome again (though I wish it were in better circumstances)!
