CAEL and CELPIP are Now Accepted for Canada’s Student Direct Stream (SDS)

Canada is the favorite higher study destination for students across the globe. International Students who are eagerly seeking a study opportunity in Canada in any of its post-secondary institutions can now rely on the English proficiency test exclusively designed by Canada for the Students Direct Stream. The education experts of various Canada consultancies presume this to be one of the most favorable decisions for international students.

As per recent announcements of the IRCC, starting from August 10, 2023, students who wish to enter Canada for their higher studies through the Student Direct Stream (SDS) can produce the results of their Canadian Academic English Language Test (CAEL) and the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP) to prove their English Language Proficiency.

So far, IELTS General (for general immigration and work visa) and IELTS academic (for students) were the only SDS approved English proficiency tests. Any SDS applicant had to mandatorily pass these tests for their application to be accepted by IRCC. The minimum band requirement in all the four skills - speaking, reading, listening, writing had to be 6.

What is Study Direct Stream in Canada?

Let us first understand what is SDS or Study Direct Stream (SDS)

SDS is one of the most popular international study programs that allows the international students to apply for and receive their Canadian study permits very easily and most importantly extremely quickly. An SDS application is processed within only 20 calendar days. Students from the following countries are eligible to apply for the SDS program in Canada:

India
Pakistan
Morocco
Brazil
China
Trinidad
Vietnam
Tobago
Barbuda
Antigua
Costa Rica
Colombia
Senegal
Philippines
Peru
Saint Vincent
Grenadines

CAEL and CELPIP - Explained

The acceptance of CAEL and CELPIP as English proficiency markers will start from August 10, 2023, so it is ideal that students who wish to appear for the tests under the SDS program must start booking for their test slots right away. The scores obtained in CAEL and CELPIP are valid for two years from the date of score publishing. Most students take the test previous to their SDS entry, so they can attach the scores with their application.

Students can appear for the CAEL and CELPIP tests from across the world. The test centers are available internationally. The test sittings are usually available every week in most of the Canadian cities. IRCC will only accept an SDS application with the CAEL scores that have been opted for in a physical test center.

IRCC has clearly stated that the CELPIP score of the candidate should be equivalent to at least the mark of 7 in the CLB or Canadian Language Benchmark for acceptance. From 10th August onwards, IRCC will accept the scores of four language tests for the SDS application processing, namely:

• Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Programme (CELPIP General)
• Canadian Academic English Language Test (CAEL)
• Pearson Test of English Academic Test (PTE Academic)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language Test (TOEFL)

Currently over 8 lakhs international students visit Canada for their higher studies. Out of this more than 5 lakh students have received their study permits in 2022. You would be surprised to know that 2.2 lakh students out of these are Indians.