ARCHIVED – Operational Bulletins 094 – January 20, 2009

This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.

Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)

This Operational Bulletin has expired.

Background

As of October 10, 2008, Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) tests are once again acceptable for the purpose of Federal Skilled Workers selection.

Please note that Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP has not yet been designated as a language-testing agency for the selection of applicants under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP test results will not be accepted for CEC until further notice.

Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP Testing Centres

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has been advised that the Applied Research and Evaluation Services (ARES) at the University of British Columbia (UBC), which developed Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP, is in the process of finalizing arrangements to set up a number of testing centres in several countries.

ARES has been informed by CIC of the protocols to be followed in establishing test centres in foreign countries. CIC National Headquarters (NHQ) drew up these protocols in 2004 when Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP was first involved in setting up testing facilities abroad.

We would appreciate if Missions could keep International Region - Operational Coordination (RIM) informed if contacted by ARES (Dr. Michael Marshall or Dr. Stanley Knight or someone acting on their behalf such as the Canadian Education Network) about setting up or making any arrangements for language testing facilities overseas.

The following instructions were provided to Dr. Marshall at ARES:

  • Please have your Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP agents in the foreign country contact our Visa Office there to arrange meetings to discuss, among other things, the nature and details of your principal/agent relationship, your proposed test delivery system, and any ancillary programs you intend to provide (e.g. language training and/or test preparation courses).
  • The formal written approval of our officials at the mission is a prerequisite to CIC accepting, for immigration assessment purposes, any Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP language test results. They must be satisfied as to the propriety of your principal/agent relationship(s), that no conflicts of interest exist in the process, and that your testing delivery system has sufficient safeguards to ensure the highest levels of integrity and security.
  • While a visa office’s approval will allow Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP results to be accepted for immigration assessment purposes, it will not be open-ended. As with other designated testing organizations, Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP will be required to inform CIC of any future changes in the nature of your partnerships and/or instruction/testing systems, and CIC may suspend designation at any time if we are not satisfied with respect to the overall integrity of the testing program.

Mission feedback will be useful in ensuring that Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP keeps visa offices informed regarding their plans for setting up testing facilities abroad.

If a visa office is contacted by ARES, UBC, or their representatives, please inform RIM at: Nat-Operational-Coordination-Selection-RIM@cic.gc.ca. Please provide relevant information and RIM will consult with Immigration Branch and provide guidance to Missions.

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