4 New tests for the English Language approved by IRCC for Student Direct Stream

Four new language test results will now be accepted for Student Direct Stream by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada. IRCC has declared that it will commence accepting the results from these four new tests from 10 August 2023 onwards.

The new tests that are now qualified are:

· CAEL

· CELPIP General

·  TOEFL IBT Test

·   PTE Academic

All the test results have to prove abilities in 4 language competencies: Writing, Reading, Listening, and Speaking.

Results from the test CELPIP General have to prove that the score is on par with Canadian Language Benchmark /CLB 7 in all 4 language competencies.

Results from the tests Pearson - PTE Academic and CAEL have to demonstrate a score of at least 60.

ETS - Educational Testing Service TOEFL IBT Test requires a score of at least 83.

Students have to appear for these tests in person. Remotely proctored and online tests are not accepted for SDS applicants.

Before this announcement, the only tests approved for SDS applicants by IRCC were IELTS Academic and IELTS General.

The Student Direct Stream / SDS

The SDS was started in 2018 and is specifically renowned among the study abroad aspirants in India. All Canada Study Permit applications filed through the SDS are having a service standard of 20 days.

Students from specific nations are offered accelerated processing for Study Permit applications through SDS. Lawful residents of the following nations are qualified: Vietnam, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Philippines, Peru, Pakistan, Morocco, India, Costa Rica, Colombia, China, Brazil, and Antigua and Barbuda.

Eligibility for the SDS

. Apart from being lawful residents of the particular nations, students are also required:

· Offer a copy of the Acceptance Letter from a DLI - Designated Learning Institution in Canada

· Offer a document that confirms the upfront medical test of the applicant

· Demonstrate that they possess the GIC - Guaranteed Investment Certificate worth $10,000

·Demonstrate that they have paid the tuition fees for the first year of studies

· Offer evidence of results of language tests that have been obtained within 24 months of the submission if the SDS application that demonstrates a band score of 6 in IELTS for English and for French it is NCLC 7

·         File the application at a VAC - Visa Application Centre 

Canada now has 800,000 plus international students

More than 800,000 overseas students were present in Canada at the conclusion of 2022 according to IRCC. This is the highest in the history of Canada. The population of overseas students in Canada has increased by four times after 2008 owing to several international and domestic factors.

At the domestic level, DLIs and the Government of Canada have highly aggressively recruited overseas students for extensive cultural, social, and economic reasons. Globally, the population of overseas students has increased owing to the increase in the global middle class.

Canada is an exciting nation renowned for its multicultural communities, incredible natural beauty, and Healthcare funded publicly. It is an appealing destination for overseas students owing to the high-quality education, fame of multiethnic society, and immigration and employment prospects.

Preparing for SDS 

The CELPIP and CAEL tests are now being accepted effective from 10 August 2023. It is recommended that you book your test slots at the earliest for ensuring that your application is ready timely.

The CELPIP and CAEL test results have a validity of 2 years after appearing for the test. So you must ensure that the scores are ready while preparing the application which will permit you to quickly complete the SDS process. The SDS website offers exhaustive information regarding the manner of preparing the application.

CAEL or CELPIP Test Centers 

Overseas students seeking to study in Post-secondary institutions in Canada are now permitted to select a proficiency test for English-language that is Canadian-made while applying for Study Permit under SDS.

CELPIP and CAEL tests are available throughout Canada as well as overseas. For booking the test slot you can visit the CELPIP or CAEL websites. Test sittings are available in all major cities in Canada and every week.

If you wish to apply for SDS with a score in CAEL, note that IRCC mandates the completion of SDS applications with in-person CAEL test results. Online CAEL results are not accepted for SDS applications.

Test aspirants preparing for the CAEL and CELPIP tests can access diverse free resources and study materials. These are inclusive of weekly free webinars with testing experts, practice tests, workshops on YouTube Channels, recorded study courses, and several others. You can also opt for obtaining coaching from English language Mentors or Coaches.