IRCC Canada Improves SDS Study Permit Requirements
This summer the Canadian government has just made it easier to apply for a study permit using the SDS route. Currently the only English language exam IRCC will accept is Academic IELTS with an overall band of 6.5. That is about to change. According to the ICEF Monitor, effective August 10, 2023, the government will accept additional English language exams in addition to IELTS.
IRCC (Immigration Refugee & Citizenship Canada) will now accept TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, CELPIP General, CAEL, and General IELTS with the intent that these additional exams will expatiate the SDS Study Permit application processing. Prior to August 10, 2023, only Academic IELTS could be used when applying for a study permit.
Accepted ELP Exam Scores for Canada SDS Study Permit Applications Effective August 10, 2023
Since exam results are good for 2 years, anyone who has previously taken the General IELTS exam prior to August 10, 2023, but less than 2 years from the date of your application submission can use that old General IELTS result if you have a band of 6 in every section: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
And while this sounds advantageous, note that General IELTS is not accepted by the colleges and universities in Canada. So, if you need to write an English language exam, consider Academic IELTS and not the General one. And if you need to write an exam for admission to a Canadian college or university, then make sure that the exam you write will be accepted by both the Canadian government (IRCC) and the institution. For example, Duolingo is accepted for some university and college admissions, but it isn’t accepted for the SDS study permit application.
Everyone hails these changes to the English language requirement for a Canadian study permit as an improvement to current requirements.. It eases up on the requirement and introduces exams that international students might be more comfortable writing. The one downside that students need to be aware of is the difference in exams. If a minimum score of 60 is required for PTE Academic, is that equivalent or harder to attain than a band of 6 in IELTS? What about TOEFL iBT? Which is the easier of the two? A little homework on your part might be needed to determine which is the best exam for you to write.
And if in doubt about which exam to write, or you need some advise on admissions, scholarships, and visa applications, make sure to contact us now. There is no time like the present to find out requirements. Be proactive not reactive.