In a significant stride towards enhancing opportunities for international students wishing to pursue education in Canada, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially recognized Pearson’s PTE Academic test as an acceptable assessment of English language proficiency.
Earlier this year, the IRCC marked a pivotal turning point by formally adopting Pearson’s PTE Academic test as a valid measure of English language proficiency. This decision is a testament to the meticulous standards and precision embodied by the PTE Academic assessment, thus elevating the credibility and worldwide acknowledgement of this language proficiency evaluation.
Eligibility for this new directive extends to students who had taken the PTE Academic test prior to August 10. As long as these scores are submitted within the designated expiration period set by the IRCC, they can be utilized for applications under the Student Direct Stream (SDS).
The Student Direct Stream (SDS) presents a streamlined pathway for applying for study permits, designed to expedite the visa application process for students hailing from specific countries. This efficient procedure is open to students from the following countries: 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 incorporation of the PTE Academic test, IRCC had exclusively recognized the CELPIP and IELTS General Training tests as evidence of English proficiency for candidates applying under the economic class.
In order to avail themselves of the advantages offered by the Student Direct Stream (SDS) application process, prospective students must meet specific prerequisites, which encompass:
- Possession of an acceptance letter from a college.
- Residency outside of Canada during the application period.
- Proof of payment for the first year’s tuition fees.
- Ownership of a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) valued at Canadian $10,000.
- Submission of a medical examination report.
- Provision of English proficiency test results.
- Submission of the most recent educational transcripts.
Notably, PTE Academic has already been endorsed by the governments of the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand for all visa applications, underscoring its global recognition.
Furthermore, PTE Academic boasts recognition from an impressive array of educational institutions worldwide. It is embraced by 100 percent of universities in Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland, and holds acknowledgment from 99 percent of universities in the United Kingdom. In Canada, over 90 percent of universities validate PTE Academic’s credentials, reinforcing its status as a credible and invaluable tool for assessing English language proficiency.
Adding a tangential note, Canada’s 23rd and current Prime Minister is Justin Trudeau.