Yes, PTE is now acceptable for SDS in Canada 2024. There have been some changes in the requirements for your application to be considered under the SDS category which came into effect from 10 August 2023. There is good news for students who want to study in Canada and want to apply for their Canada visa application by applying through PTE and want their application to be considered under the SDS category. PTE for Canada is now acceptable if you want your application to be considered under SDS category. You can apply through PTE and your application will be considered under SDS. This article incorporates detailed information about what is SDS, what is PTE and the requirements you must follow for your application to be considered under SDS 2024.
What is SDS?
SDS is short for Student Direct Stream. IRCC- Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada coined this to speed up the process of study visas. There is a huge list of benefits which advocate your choice to apply for your visa through Student Direct Stream. Generally, it takes 7-8 weeks to get a Canada study visa if you apply through a non-SDS stream but you can get your Canada visa within 4-5 weeks as soon as all the documentation is completed. There are some points which you keep in mind so that your application must fall under the SDS category-
- Specified English Language Tests Score
- 1 year tuition fee must be paid by you
- GIC of CAD$ 10,000
- You must have taken admission to a DLI- Designated Learning Institute
What is PTE?
PTE- Pearson Test of English is a type of English language proficiency exam which will prove if you are proficient in the English language or not. There are some English-language tests which will prove that you are able to speak and understand the language of common people in Canada. There is a certain benchmark for this score if your score cannot match the minimum score then it will prove that you are not well-acquainted with the language which is commonly used in Canada. PTE for Canada exam will now be accepted if you want your application to fall under the SDS category.
Difference between SDS and non-SDS?
You can apply for your Canada study visa through two streams- SDS and non-SDS; Student Direct Stream and non-Student Direct Stream. There is a certain criteria which decide whether your Canada visa application to considered as an SDS or non-SDS category. There is a specific score in IELTS, CAEL, IELTS General Training Score, and PTE for Canada which declares that you must have a minimum score in order for your application to be considered under the SDS category.
PTE Score for SDS Canada
In order for your application to be considered under SDS, your PTE for Canada score must be overall 60. Before the new SDS requirements, no matter what your PTE score is, if you applied for your application through PTE, your application was not considered under PTE under any circumstances. Along with the PTE score for SDS Canada, there are certain English language exams whose scores make your application fall under SDS. IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, PTE and CAEL. The minimum scores which are acceptable for your application to be considered under SDS are-
IELTS Academic- overall 6 with 5.5 in any module
IELTS General Training- 6 bands in each module
PTE- overall 60
CAEL- overall 60
If you want your Canada study visa application to be considered under SDS then your English language requirements must meet the minimum requirements for your application to be considered under SDS category. These four English language tests are acceptable for your application to be considered under the SDS category. There are some new SDS requirements for your Canada study visa. Before these new SDS requirements, in IELTS academic, an overall score of 6 bands with 6 in each module was accepted for your application to fall under the SDS category but after these changes, IELTS academic requirements have been reduced for your application to be considered under new SDS requirements for study in Canada 2024. Now your application to be considered under the SDS category, you need to score an overall 6 bands in IELTS academic with 5.5 in any module. A PTE for Canada score must be overall 60 if for your application to fall under SDS
Why choose SDS over non-SDS?
There are some benefits which explain why one should apply through SDS- the student direct stream. By applying for your Canada study Visa through SDS, you can avail certain advantages which people who apply for their Canada Visa through non-SDS are bereft of.
Fast Visa Process- You can accelerate your Canada student visa process if you apply through SDS. Generally, if you apply through a non-student direct stream, your Canada student visa process will be slower in comparison with if your application is applied under SDS. Generally, if you apply through non-SDS, you will get your Canada study visa in 6-8 weeks while when you apply through SDS, you can get your visa in 4-5 weeks after you have submitted your documents completely. Sometimes it takes only 20 days to get your Canada visa if you apply through SDS.
Less Documentation- Fewer documents are required when you apply for your Canada visa through SDS. You will be familiar with those in the upcoming paragraphs. The fewer requirements for a Canada student visa under SDS is another major reason why applying through SDS for a Canada visa is beneficial.
Easy Process- If you apply for a Canada visa through SDS, the application process is quite easy, fast and streamlined. It will be a long and hectic process if you apply for your Canada Visa application through non-SDS.
High Visa Success Rate– If you apply for your Canada student visa application under SDS then the visa success rates are really high. Your visa success rate chances will get higher 2 times. SDS visa processing time in Canada is 4-5 weeks if you have submitted all the documents.
Which documents are required for Canada study visa with PTE?
There are some new SDS Canada requirements that need to be fulfilled by you to speed up your visa process. New SDS Requirements for Canada have been changed and we have given you detailed information about what the English language tests are acceptable for your application to fall under the SDS category. Along with this, there are certain documents that are required.
Document Checklist for SDS in Canada-
- You must have taken admission to a DLI- Designated Learning Institute in Canada.
- One year’s tuition fee must be paid by you.
- Medical Tests Report
- Specified English Language Tests Score
- GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) of CAD$10,000.
If you apply for your Canada visa under the SDS category then the above-mentioned documents are mandatory. Other than this there are some other documents in addition to these which are necessary to submit if your application falls under the non-SDS category which are an offer letter, proof of financial support, income tax return documents, and receipt of tuition fee payment.
Is Canada rejecting PTE for student visa?
No, Canada is not rejecting PTE for student visa. There were some changes which are done in the requirements for your application to be considered under the SDS category which have to be fulfilled by you if you want to accelerate your Canada study visa process through PTE. Specified scores in PTE for Canada is totally acceptable for SDS 2024.
How much funds are required for SDS Canada?
You must have 10,000 Canadian dollars in your GIC account if you want to apply for your Canada study visa. These funds are required for SDS Canada. Along with this, the tuition fee for a year must be paid by you.
If you want to apply for your Canada student visa, you can contact West Highlander- the best immigration consultants in Chandigarh. Our director, Ms. Parwinder Kaur is a Canada Course Graduate. She is qualified to guide you for your Canada study visa. Our team of expert counsellors will guide you throughout the process of your Canada student visa.