IRCC issues language testing guidance for the new temporary pathway to Canada PR

On April 22, 2021, the federal government of Canada has announced the language requirement for the new temporary pathway to Canadian permanent residence.

Recently, IRCC had announced 6 new immigration streams under a new pathway to Canada PR route that goes through the temporary route.

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada [IRCC], as part of the eligibility criteria for the recently announced temporary pathway to permanent residence, the applicants must have received a language level proficiency of at least – ·       A benchmark 5 for international students that had graduated from a Canadian institution, or ·       A benchmark 4 for essential workers. The language benchmarks are as per the Canadian Language Benchmarks [CLB] for English, and the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens [NCLC] for the French language.

3 of the newly-announced streams will be open for applications beginning May 6, 2021.

Up to 90,000 newcomers are to be admitted into Canada through these 3 streams.

Another 3 streams have also been announced by IRCC. Nevertheless, there is no cap on the total number of Canadian permanent residents that can be admitted through the other 3 streams that are specifically for French-speaking candidates.

IRCC admits that it is “aware that third-party language testing organizations had to reduce testing capacity” towards meeting the restrictions and health guidelines in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nevertheless, IRCC goes on to say that “extra testing sessions” were now being added for meeting the increase in demand for the same.

An applicant can make use of a previous language test from any of the designated organizations, provided the result is not more than 2 years old at the time of the application submission.

Agencies approved for taking third-part language tests for Canada immigration applications

	Language Test	Authorised Agency
For English	Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program [CELPIP] [General test]	Paragon Testing Enterprises Inc.
	International English Language Testing System [IELTS] [General test]	·       The British Council ·       Cambridge Assessment English ·       IDP Australia
For French	Test d’évaluation de français [TEF Canada]	Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry
	Test de connaissance du français [TCF Canada]	France Education International [FEI]

IRCC will be accepting language test results received by the applicants either – [1] through email, or [2] from the testing organisation’s official online portal.

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