If you are currently in Canada as a temporary resident and you have intentions of eventually applying for Canadian permanent residency through one of the different channels, it is necessary for you to write the English or French language test. The decision on whether or not you want to write the language test during your temporary residence is yours. However, you will ultimately have to write the test in order to apply for Canadian permanent residency.
There are only a few instances in which the test is not necessary. Even so, if you are in Canada temporarily either as a student or worker or as a visitor and you want to eventually apply for permanent residency, it is a requirement for you to complete an English or French language test and to score above the minimum requirements for the different categories under which you will be applying.
Why You Should Complete The Language Test As Soon As Possible
With regards to when to complete the language test, it is highly advisable for you to complete the test as soon as possible instead of waiting until you are at the point of submitting your permanent residency application. There are a number of reasons why this is recommended.
Firstly, once you have written the language test and scored the required score, the test remains valid for two years. It is likely that you are going to be submitting your application for permanent residency at least within a two-year period.
Secondly, while you are in Canada you can never know what more immigration pathways may open up for temporary residents. If a new permanent residency pathway opens up, you will definitely have to do the English language test or a French-language test. If you had completed the language test beforehand, you would be ready and waiting to submit your permanent residency application as soon as possible to take advantage of the new pathway, should it open up.
New Pathways to Canadian Permanent Residency
An ideal example is when the Canadian government recently announced that it was creating new temporary public policy immigration programs that opened up permanent residency pathways for persons who were already in Canada as temporary residents. The temporary programs were limited to a certain quota of applications that the government would accept and a closing date for the programs.
Consequently, there was a rush among many temporary residents in Canada trying to register for their language test who had to wait for an extended period of time due to the numbers. There were some individuals who were not able to file their permanent residency applications since the available slots were filled up before they were able to complete their language tests.
Therefore it is crucial that if you have the intention to apply for Canadian permanent residency sometime in the future that you complete an English language or French language test now should you have the opportunity to do so. Given that the language test results will be valid for two years, it is advisable that you complete the test and have the results ready and waiting for the time you decide to file your permanent residency application.
If two years lapse and you have to resit the language test, then you will have to do so. However, the last thing you want to learn is that a new permanent residency pathway has opened up and you are not able to take advantage of the opportunity because you do not have your language test results ready at hand. In other words, it is better to be prepared in advance.
Let Us Help
Should you have any questions regarding the language test requirement for permanent residency applications in Canada, we are available to provide the best professional advice.
In case you need assistance with your Canadian permanent residency application, we are happy to help you put together the required documentation and guide you throughout the process.
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