Language proficiency test for PhD graduates.

[froshie]

Hello,

I will get my PhD degree next September or October from UofT, after which I will apply for Ontario PNP. I am wondering if I need to take the IELTS test to apply for PR. I did not see IELTS requirement on PNP PhD graduate information page, while the language requirement is listed on Master graduate page. I would assume that for PhD graduates it is not necessary to have IELTS to get the PNP nomination. My question is after I get the PhD graduate PNP nomination, which again I assume I don't need IELTS for, do I need to provide IELTS scores to CIC. And if I do need to provide IELTS scores to CIC, how long is my IELTS score valid for?

The reason I am asking this is because I am taking IELTS on September 3rd, 2011 and I will graduate after September 3rd 2012. If CIC require IELTS and only accept scores in the last 12 months (Ontario PNP only accepts IELTS in the last 12 months, but I assume I don't need to provide that as PhD grad), I will have to retake the test.

Any insights will be greatly appreciated. Best of luck for everyone here!

-Froshie

[Oronno]

IELTS is required for MS graduates only, PhD graduates are exempt.

[froshie]

IELTS is required for MS graduates only, PhD graduates are exempt.

Thank you very much for the input. Are you sure that CIC is not going to ask for IELTS after I submit my PNP nomination? Since PNP nomination is ultimately just a recommendation/glorified supporting letter and CIC has the final say on whether to approve an application or not, I just want to make sure that CIC is not going to demand IELTS down the road once my application gets to them.