Canada starts accepting PTE scores for Student Direct Stream applications: In a significant development for international students aspiring to study in Canada, the country’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially sanctioned the use of Pearson’s PTE Academic test as an English language proficiency assessment.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 2023
PTE Academic Gains Approval from IRCC: A Milestone in Language Proficiency Testing
The IRCC made a historic judgement earlier this year when it approved Pearson’s PTE Academic test as a credible measure of English language competency. This move acknowledges the rigorous standards and accuracy of the PTE Academic assessment, further enhancing the credibility and global recognition of this language proficiency test.
Students who have taken the PTE Academic test before August 10 are eligible to benefit from this new directive. As long as these scores are submitted within the stipulated expiry period set by the IRCC, they can be used for Student Direct Stream (SDS) applications.
The Scope of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and its Expansion
The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is a simplified study permit application method meant to speed up the visa application process for students from specific countries. This efficient process is available to students 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.
Prior to the inclusion of the PTE Academic test, IRCC exclusively accepted the CELPIP and IELTS General Training tests as proof of English proficiency for candidates applying under the economic class.
Eligibility Criteria for the Student Direct Stream (SDS)
To avail the benefits of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) application process, aspiring students need to fulfill certain prerequisites, which include:
- Possession of a college acceptance letter.
- Residence outside of Canada at the time of application.
- Evidence of payment of tuition fees for the first year of study.
- Possession of a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) worth Canadian $10,000.
- Submission of a medical examination report.
- Furnishing English proficiency test results.
- Providing the latest educational transcripts.
PTE Academic’s Global Acceptance and Implications
PTE Academic is already accepted for all visa applications by the governments of the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, demonstrating its international recognition.
Furthermore, PTE Academic is accepted by a large number of educational institutions globally. It is recognised by all universities in Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland, as well as by 99 percent of universities in the United Kingdom. In Canada, PTE Academic holds acceptance from over 90 per cent of universities, reinforcing its status as a credible and valuable assessment tool for English language proficiency.
