Canada immigration has announced to accept language test results from 4 new tests for Student Direct Stream (SDS) applicants. The IRCC (Immigration Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) will start accepting these new test results with effect from August 10, 2023. All approved test results must show proficiency of the applicants in all four language abilities, i.e. speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Four new English language tests for SDS
Earlier, IELTS General and IELTS Academic were the only approved tests by Canada immigration department for SDS applicants. However, now there will total six approved tests to choose from for SDS. Find below the list of four newly eligible tests:
- CELPIP General
- CAEL
- PTE Academic
- TOEFL iBT Test
Criteria for New Language tests
Find below the proficiency criteria for the four new language tests:
- CELPIP general tests of an applicant need to have a score that is equivalent to CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) of at least CLB 7 in each of the 4 language speaking abilities
- CAEL and Pearson PTE Academic test results of an applicant need to have a minimum score of 60.
- Educational Testing Service (ETS) TOEFL iBT Test must have a minimum score of 83.
Note: The crucial thing to note is that the students need to take these tests in-person. The IRCC will not accept the online or remotely proctored tests from the applicants in the SDS.
Student Direct Stream- An overview
The Student Direct Stream provides the faster processing of study permits for students from particular countries. Eligible applicants need to be lawful residents of following countries:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Brazil
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- India
- Morocco
- Pakistan
- Peru
- Philippines
- Senegal
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Vietnam
Launched back in in 2018, SDS is mainly popular among Indian international students. Canada is a paradise for international students seeking to study abroad. There were total 800,000 international students in Canada last year. In 2022 alone, Canada welcomed over 550,000 new International Students and most of them were from India (i.e. 226,450).
Eligibility Criteria for SDS
In addition to being legal residents of specific countries, students who meet this criteria must also:
- have an acceptance letter from a post-secondary designated learning institution
- live outside of Canada when you apply
- Medical fitness certificate
- have proof you have paid your tuition for your first year of study
- have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAN$10,000
- Have a proof an approved language test results showing proficiency
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To know more details and apply for desired visa in Canada this year, you may get in touch with Visas Avenue qualified and trusted Visa consultant on Toll-Free-Number- 78-18-000-777. Alternatively, you can drop us an e-mail at info@visasavenue.com.
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Rajneesh Kumar
27 May, 2023 
