hi guys, i need help on this,

I had applied for canadian residency and they have sent me a letter saying that i do not possess Proficiency in English Language. I have a 4 year degree from US and have been living in the US for last 8 years with 3 years of IT experience on h1b visa. Has anyone been asked this before? Some have advised me to write a detailed letter to them about this issue on why and how i think i have good proficiency in English. Any help? Please i was respond from the ones who have received such letters or who has seen someone go thru this. Reason being i dont want to go thru IELTS if there is a way around it.

Request your employer to write a letter saying that
1.the working language is english
2. you must have sent your educational certificate from US institute. Ask Canadians embassy how come they think that you dont have english proficiency.
that must be enough

I had the same problem but they suggested me to explain how am I using English in my daily life ... at work or home etc. I wrote about a page and half long story telling how me and my family including kids use it. After that I was not asked anything and last month I received the final letter and got the pr card too...I would suggest a letter from your employer along with your explanation should suffice.
I guess this will help.... Good luck

Best option, take a IELT test(General), its a easiest taste, if you graduated from U.S.

Good information. One of my friend was having the same problem.

give ielts. friend of mine did the same thing

You're not the first person who is asked to take one of those standard tests, such as IELTS. These days they're asking anyone whose first language is not English. It sounds so stupid to ask someone who finished BS and MS from English speaking country and have several years of professional career in the US. It sounds like they don't really look at your academic and other backgrounds when they send you that type of letter.

Anyways, best and safest suggestion is to take IELTS...

I have an additional question: how long does it take for the whole process these days? I had applied in last November.. I never heard from them after that. I check the status online , but it only says " in process"..

forIELTs information;
it takes almost 4 hours including breaks.
30 min listening, 1 hours reading, 1 hours writing and 15 min for speaking.
if you are taking general, its piece of cake if you are graduated from U.S.
Its little bit different on listening than anyother English test e.g, TOEFL.
make sure you know pattern on this part, how to answer.

FYI
----------------------------------------------------
Simplified Immigration Application Process - An Introduction
----------------------------------------------------

The Canadian Government is introducing a "Simplified
Application Process" for Federal Economic Classes under
which applicants will provide only fees plus a modified
IMM0008 application at time of initial application, and
will be asked to provide supporting documentation only when
the visa office is ready to assess.

Highlights of this new process are -

1. It applies to Skilled Workers, Investors,
Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed Categories

2. Applicant need not submit supporting documents
with immigration application

3. Supporting documents would be requested 4-5 months
before beginning of final assessment

4. Full processing fee refundable if applicant do not
wish to continue with process before the beginning of
final assessment

5. This process is coming in to force on September 01,
2006

I am thinking of taking IELTS for canada immigration. where do i register and what is address of website. Pls help me out.

WMD,

Before you go ahead with your plans to migrate to Canada, read this thead:

http://www.sajha.com/sajha/html/openThread.cfm?forum=2&ThreadID=36153

- http://www.sajha.com/sajha/html/openThread.cfm?forum=2&ThreadID=36153

You may be the victim of canadian policy which states that " canada treates everybody equally" So, they are not concerning whether u did u degree from USA or Uganda.
For them to know everyones english profeciency is through the results of IELTS exam.

Even i had to do the Test last month and i got 7 in two ( speaking/ listening) and 6 in other two and with that i was able to get only 12 poinst according to the can imm. system, so i had to attache my wife's application so from her education i will be getting 3 points.

The exam is not that tough, you can do it. i will pray that your file will be approved and the success will be yours.
keep trying.
best of luck
Raj

Raj,
Haina hola,
If you have 4 years degree from any english being the first language countries you don't need to have to have IELTS. Its like not having Toefl in US for Graduate school if you have your undergraduate degree from US. But you need to show them the proof that you have fluency in english by showing them your US degree, employment letter along with your resume and may be your old Toefl result.

conclusion is canadian gov try to make it tough and they will not get immigrants and lower theor demand again.i.e back then the pass mark to get qualified for immigration was 67 and in 2002 they raised it to 75 and now they lowered it to 67 again.

Hope this helps for folks immigrating to canada and Good luck with your new life

Ishna,

how long was the processing time for u. i did the same thing last july and havent heard from them yet. is it a lengthy process

Thank god! My file is finally transferred from Buffalo to NY. It took exactly one year for them to transfer my file. Hope things will move smoothly now.

Nepali Hero,
I didnt know that you can add up the points by your wife's application. I thought you should have that English skills as you're the primary applicant.

Anyways, good luck to all!!!!

sukul gunda,

how did u transfer ur file from buffalo to ny. and how long did all process took

Niravana,
I don't transfer the file. It's Buffalo office who transfers your file to the closest office from your location. Like I said, it took them "exactly one year" to transfer my file to NY office.

Post your email address and I will send you a copy of the letter I sent to them as a proof of my language proficiency which they accepted.

sukulgunda,
i think u have to make somekind of request to them right. otherwise how wud they know the file has to be transfer and when did u file for this for the first time, that is before file was moved to buffallo