Canadian Immigration Questions and Answers with Attorney David Cohen

Every month, Attorney David Cohen will answer a few general Canadian immigration questions submitted by our readers. Here are this month’s questions and answers.

1. All my documents are ready for me to make an application to a federal economic immigration program, but I still cannot achieve the minimum IELTS score required. What can I do?

Assuming that your English ability is greater than your French ability and that you are residing outside Canada (and therefore unable to take the CELPIP exam), you must submit sufficient IELTS results in order for Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to allow you to enter the Express Entry pool. Each economic program considered under Express Entry has specific language requirements, and you must meet the minimum requirement for the program for which you intend to apply. For example, CIC has set an eligibility requirement for Language of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7.0 for Federal Skilled Workers. If you are unable reach the required score the first time, you must retake the exam. Failure to meet the minimum requirements will render you ineligible to enter the pool.

2 I am currently travelling whilst my Canadian Experience Class (CEC) application is being processed. If I receive my medical request whilst I am away from the UK, will I be able to do it with an approved doctor whilst I am overseas (i.e. in Canada) or will I have to return to the UK and have the medical done there?

Panel Physicians (PP) are available in most countries and you and your family, if applicable, will be able to take the examination wherever Panel Physicians are located.