Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced today that the Canadian government will reduce application processing delays by streamlining language proficiency assessment for Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class applications.

For all applications received by Citizenship and Immigration Canada on or after April 10, 2010, immigration officers will be determining applicants’ language proficiency based on documentation submitted at the time the application is assessed, and will no longer be giving applicants an opportunity to provide additional documents supporting their language proficiency.

Currently, if an immigration officer feels that an applicant has not adequately proved his or her language proficiency with documentation, they may contact the applicant and afford the opportunity to provide results of a third-party test, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test.

However, as of April 10, 2010, this option will no longer be provided to applicants. Language proficiency will be assessed solely on information the applicant has provided at the time of submission. It is therefore advisable that applicants submit conclusive proof of their language ability, such as IELTS test results, with their complete application.

"This requirement supports our commitment to fast, fair and efficient application processing," Kenney said.