As of, August 10, 2023, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is incorporating four newly approved English language tests for Student Direct Stream (SDS) applicants. New language tests now accepted for Canada.
The new list of approved language tests includes:
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General;
- Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL); and
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic;
- Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based test (TOEFL iBT).
In addition to these tests, students can also take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training or Academic tests. It should be noted that the following changes to IELTS requirements for the SDS will also come into effect on August 10th:
- If you’re applying from the 10th of August 2023, with IELTS Academic, an overall band score (the average of all individual skill section scores) of 6.0 is required;
- If you applied with IELTS Academic before the 10th of August 2023, you’ll need a score of 6.0 in each skill (speaking, listening, reading and writing); and
- If you’re applying with IELTS General Training, you will still need a 6.0 in each skill section, before or after 10th August 2023.
To be eligible for the SDS, all test results must show a well-rounded command of an official language of Canada (English or French) , covering abilities in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Specifically, students testing in English must achieve a total score of at least:
- 7 for CELPIP General tests; or
- 60 for CAEL tests; or
- 60 for Pearson Academic tests; or
- 83 on TOEFEL iBT tests.
Importantly, these tests must be taken in person; as, online or remotely proctored tests are not eligible for the SDS applicants’ consideration.
What is the Student Direct Stream?
For international students from particular countries, the SDS program offers expedited processing of study visas. The program aims to keep the processing time for qualified study permit applications at 20 calendar days.
Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam are on the list of nations that qualify.
To meet SDS applicant eligibility, students must:
- Be a legal resident of the specified countries;
- Provide a copy of a letter of acceptance from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
- Present confirmation of an upfront medical exam;
- Possess, or prove they have acquired a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of $10,000;
- Prove that tuition fees have been paid for the first year of study;
- Provide proof of the language test results obtained within two years of the application being received, showing eligible test scores for the SDS; and
- Submit their application at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
Note that even if all of these eligibility requirements are met, an IRCC officer may still reject the application if they believe it lacks sufficient evidence that the international student can fulfill the terms of their stay in Canada according to the program standards for government personnel. New language tests now accepted for Canada.
The fact that Canada housed more international students than ever before at the end of 2022, more than 800,000, is evidence of the success of these measures. Due to a combination of internal and external forces, this statistic shows an almost 10-fold growth since 2008. For their contribution to the economy, societal diversity, and cultural richness, domestically the Canadian government and DLIs have become increasingly assertive in luring overseas students. Globally, the increase in middle-class populations has led to a growth in the number of overseas students. Due to the high standard of education, multicultural reputation, and attractive job and immigration opportunities following study, Canada is a center for higher education. This puts it ahead of other rival international student markets.
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