IRCC unfolds criteria to approve a language testing organization. These criteria will determine whether to accept the designation of language testing organization or deny it. The parameters took effect on August 11. The department needs language tests for the Student Direct Stream and economic class permanent residence applicants. This method ensures that candidates fulfill the essential French or English language proficiency requirements.
These language proficiency standards are a way to test whether the candidates will be able to integrate well into Canadian culture and economy. A language test result can also affect your aggregate human capital score, which is taken into account by a number of federal and provincial pathways to rank candidates, especially for individuals from lower socioeconomic classes. For instance, the most qualified applicants acquire invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residence under the federal Express Entry system.
Since IRCC was previously admitted, there were no such requirements in existence. However, the revelation of the requirements language testing companies must achieve to receive IRCC designation is a noteworthy move. This makes it difficult for more language tests to be available to applicants from the SDS and the economic class. An organization that conducts language tests would not be aware of the conditions it needs to satisfy to receive IRCC approval without such standards.
IRCC unfolds criteria to approve a language testing organization
IRCC brought forth the following criteria to approve a language testing organization:
Expertise: A test must evaluate proficiency in the four skill areas—reading, writing, oral comprehension/listening, and speaking—at all levels, from beginner to very proficient, to be competent for IRCC purposes.
Reliability: Candidates with equal levels of language proficiency must regularly receive results from similar tests. Every time a test is written, the various versions must have the same degree of difficulty.
Integrity/security: A designated testing agency must adhere to security requirements for the administration of tests. These must include the logistics of setting up test venues, enrolling applicants, creating and grading tests, and disseminating results. Also, a test must have enough anti-fraud safeguards before it can be authorized.
Availability: Where there is an adequate requirement for independent language testing, a designated testing agency for IRCC purposes must be able to offer tests to applicants in all regions of Canada and overseas.
IRCC approved specific tests for economic class immigration
IRCC has currently approved five language testing organizations in total:
English
- IELTS General Training
- CELPIP General
French
- TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
- TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français
The Pearson Test of English (PTE) has received IRCC approval, and it is likely that IRCC will accept it as of late 2023.
Tests approved by IRCC for SDS applicants
On August 10, IRCC started to accept the newly approved four language tests for Student Direct Stream applicants. The tests are as follows:
- Canadian Academic English Language – CAEL
- TOFL iBT
- Pearson Test of English Academic – PTE
- CELPIP General
Additionally, the following English tests will also gain acceptance by IRCC for SDS applicants:
- IELTS Academic
- IELTS General Training
