Proof of language required for citizenship applicants as of Nov 1

[OhCanadiana]

If you getting ready to submit your citizenship certificate, note that as of Nov 1 CIC will require "up-front proof of language ability" at the time you apply.

"Under the old rules, there was no objective way to test language abilities of applicants. Under the new rule, applicants must provide objective evidence that they meet the language requirement, achieving the Canadian Language Benchmark/Niveau de compétence linguistique canadien 4 in speaking and listening, when they file their application. Applicants will be required to submit acceptable evidence, such as:

the results of a CIC-approved third-party test; or
the evidence of completion of secondary or post-secondary education in English or French; or
the evidence of achieving the appropriate language level in certain government-funded language training programs."

The News Release is available at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2012/2012-09-28.asp

 

[tst]

Day by day they want to make citizenship tough, now we have to run from one office to another office and person who is not good in english has a nightmare passing the exam with spending hard earned money.

I hope it will reduce the processing time.

Let's see which another rules introduce to make more hurdles for filling citizenship.

 

[ZYXWVU98]

why they don't set up rules to give citizenship test to every canadian citizen every two years. the citizens who failed citizenship should have their citizenship revoked. this rule is again the proof of conservative party dislike and bullying on immigrants whose native language is not english. they want every new immigrants suffer.

 

[ZYXWVU98]

the cic might soon announce, for citizenship purpose, the immigrants must be physically present in canada 30 out of 40 years. waiting 30 years to get canadian citizenship will certainly make the canadian citizenship the most valuable citizenship on the planet. complete bullshit.

 

[ajslp]

I think it is not a bad idea. After all, English and French are two official languages in Canada. If a person does not have a basic language skills or can not communicate with other people, he or she can not be a productive member of the Canadian society. I believe they might have a provision to evaluate individual's situations and exceptional scenarios for those who are not able to pass the basic tests or learn basic language skills. As long as the rules are not extremely strict, I endorse the proposal.

 

[links18]

English or French language proficiency is already a requirement for citizenship for most people, but this adds another bureaucratic hurdle. You now have to get proof, which could delay you filing your application, which could mess people up in terms of their days in Canada. You better plan ahead.

What I want to know is how are all these changes being made to the immigration process without an act of Parliament? Ministerial fiat? What should we expect from a government that has shown little patience for democracy in the past?

 

[newcomer]

Hi,

I think getting level 4 in CLB exams will be pretty easy ,its just knowing the basic levels of English.In addition in my view anyone who has actually spend 3 years in Canada should not have any difficulty in getting that low level of CLB.CIC just wants that immigrants should try to integrate better in Canadian society ,and without knowing either English or French ,its almost impossible.

 

[newcomer]

In addition it MIGHT also decrease the number of applicants per year ,atleast temporarily ,which COULD reduce the processing times as well.Applicants will now need to plan ahead as usually CIC funded english/french language centres do not allow you to repeat your language evaluation test before one year and getting evaluation from a private third party institute will prove costly.

 

[PMM]

Hi

English or French language proficiency is already a requirement for citizenship for most people, but this adds another bureaucratic hurdle. You now have to get proof, which could delay you filing your application, which could mess people up in terms of their days in Canada. You better plan ahead.

What I want to know is how are all these changes being made to the immigration process without an act of Parliament? Ministerial fiat? What should we expect from a government that has shown little patience for democracy in the past?

You really don't understand the parliamentary system in Canada. You don't need a vote in Parliament every time a regulation is changed. Regulations are changed every day.

 

[links18]

Hi


You really don't understand the parliamentary system in Canada. You don't need a vote in Parliament every time a regulation is changed. Regulations are changed every day.

Ah PMM, more of your all too frequent condescension. I am not an idiot. I know how the parliamentary system works; thank you very much. BTW, that has nothing to do with a parliamentary system. Regulations are changed in Presidential/Separation of power systems all the time, as well. But you would think something like changing the citizenship process would involve some public debate. Could the opposition perhaps have the opportunity to give its input on these issues in front of the nation?

 

[Leon]

I would have thought that if somebody's English/French is very bad, they would simply fail the test so although I also am of the opinion that citizens should speak at least basic English or French, I don't think these extra measures are necessary.

 

[akka]

So the applications must be received by Nov 1st or must be mailed by Nov 1st?

 

[PMM]

Hi

So the applications must be received by Nov 1st or must be mailed by Nov 1st?

Received.

 

[Sweetsmile]

What is the minimum level of English is required to apply for citizenship?

 

[PMM]

Hi

What is the minimum level of English is required to apply for citizenship?

CLB level 4 in Speaking and Listening. IELTS 4 in speaking and 4.5 in Listening.