The IRCC has announced the most awaited announcement about considering other Language exams besides IELTS for SDS Study Visa eligibility. Canada has officially announced that they will accept PTE and TOEFL for the Study Visa under Student Direct Stream ( SDS) starting 10 August 2023. 

This approval follows the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC) recognition earlier this year of PTE Core for proof of English language proficiency for Canadian permanent residency or citizenship.

SDS is an expedited study permit process for students applying to study in Canada from Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam.

Canada is a great place to be a student – fantastic colleges, beautiful scenery, exciting culture and nightlife.

Before the addition of the PTE and TOEFL , IRCC accepted only the CELPIP and IELTS General Training as proof of English proficiency for economic class candidates.

The UK, Australian and New Zealand governments already accept PTE and TOEFL for all visa applications. PTE and TOEFL is also accepted by many universities across Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK and the USA.

Latest IRCC figures for 2022 show Canada reached an all-time high for international students. As of the end of October, IRCC had processed more than 750,300 study permit applications during the 2022 calendar year.