Canada SDS study permit update- No need of individual score of 6 in IELTS

by Rajneesh Kumar Published on 18/Jul/2023

Its good news for the individuals aspiring to get a Canadian student visa! The process of applying for a Canada Student Direct Stream or SDS study permit will now become more efficient, chiefly in relation to the English language test requirements. Canadian immigration department, i.e. IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) has introduced key changes that benefit the candidates opting for the IELTS Academic test.

Starting from 10th August 2023, people applying with the IELTS Academic test will no longer require achieving a minimum score of 6.0 in each individual test section. In its place, a cumulative score of 6.0 overall will be enough, thus simplifying the selection of IELTS Academic as a means to show your language ability.

This update is surely good news for potential students planning to study in Canada. The restructured requirement eases the past burden of achieving a specific score in each section, making it more reachable for applicants to fulfil the language ability criteria through the IELTS Academic test.

Key points to understand about latest update in SDS Program

After the new changes announced in Canada SDS program here are key points to understand:

If you are applying to SDS after 10 August 2023, all you require is an overall band score of 6 on IELTS Academic.

If you are applying with IELTS Academic prior to August 10, 2023, you will need IELTS 6.0 in each skill.

If you are applying with IELTS General Training, you will need a 6.0 in each skill, before and after 10th August.

You can apply to SDS with IELTS Academic/General Training test results up to 2 years old.

Student Direct Stream (SDS)

It's an accelerated pathway for attaining a study permit in Canada, designed to provide a faster processing time for eligible candidates based on their country of residence. The IRCC have employed this stream with the purpose of processing the majority of SDS applications within just 20 calendar days. While most applications are processed within this timeframe, it's essential to note that certain situations may cause some applications to take longer to process. However, the SDS offers a rationalised approach for students looking to pursue their education in Canada, to make certain a more proficient and timely study permit application process.

Countries eligible for SDS

To be eligible for priority processing under the SDS, the study permit applicant needs to be a legal resident of one among the following countries: