Canada Migrants: New language requirements from next month

New language requirements have been announced for immigration to the Canadian province Quebec. The requirements will be implemented per August 1, 2013.
 
Applicants wishing to immigrate to Quebec may apply through the provincial Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSW). The program aims to attract labour force in a number of listed fields that are currently in demand of labour in the province.
 
Applicants for this program are subjected to a point-based system. Great emphasis has always been placed on language. Under the revised program an applicant can receive a maximum of 22points for language.
 
Up to 16 points will be awarded for French proficiency, and up to 6 for English.
 
French points are assessed on a scale from A1 (beginner) to C2 (advanced/fluent). Previously, points could be claimed for any level of proficiency in listening and speaking. However, under the revised program no points will be awarded until the B2 (advanced intermediate) level. In addition, applicants will now have the opportunity to earn points for reading and writing proficiency.
 
The charts below illustrates the new points breakdown:
 
Speaking/listening level          Points Awarded
 A1                                           0
 A2                                           0
 B1                                            0
 B2                                            5
 C1                                            6
 C2                                            7
 

Reading/Writing Level            Points awarded
 A1                                           0
 A2                                           0
 B1                                           0
 B2                                           1
 C1                                           1
 C2                                           1
 
English proficiency has similarly changed. Points for English language skills will not be awarded until the Intermediate level, or levels 5-8 according to government criteria:
 
Speaking/listening level          Points Awarded
 Levels 1-4                               0
 Levels 5-8                               1
 Levels 9-12                             2
 
Reading/Writing Level            Points awarded
 Levels 1-4                               0
 Levels 5-8                               1
 Levels 9-12                             1
 
It is important to note that applicants would not be disqualified for possessing less than B1 proficiency in French or English. It is possible for an applicant to achieve sufficient points in other fields without being awarded points for their language skills.
 
The Government of Quebec announced that the new rules would be effective retroactively for submitted files for which preliminary processing has not already begun. What constitutes ‘preliminary processing’ has not been made clear in the government’s announcement.
 
Earlier, The Government of Quebec extended the deadline for applications under the current program until July 31, 2013.
 
In addition to the revised language criteria, the government announced plans to institute a cap on application intake. An anticipated cap of 20,000 on application intake for the QSW program was discussed.
 
It also announced plans to publish a new list of areas of training/fields of study. Currently, applicants to the skilled worker stream of the QSW must have training in one of 110 areas of training/fields of study.

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