IRCC Updated IELTS Requirements for Canadian Student Direct Stream (SDS)

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently introduced updates to the IELTS requirements for the Canadian Study Direct Stream (SDS) program. Starting from August 10, 2023, IDP IELTS has officially announced that applicants for the Study Direct Stream (SDS) study visa in Canada will only require an overall band score of 6 in the IELTS Academic test. This new requirement replaces the previous mandate of obtaining a score of 6 in each module. Consequently, individuals who have achieved a score of 5.5 in 1-2 modules but maintain an overall band score of 6 will now be eligible to apply for the SDS program.

The Student Direct Stream (SDS) program for Canadian study visas is open to citizens of 14 eligible countries. Applicants from these countries can take advantage of the streamlined SDS application process. However, individuals from other countries are required to apply for a Canadian study visa through the general stream, also known as the non-SDS route. It’s important to note that citizens of the 14 SDS-eligible countries are also eligible to apply under the non-SDS category if they prefer.

Eligibility Criteria

The IELTS requirements for securing an offer letter from a Canadian college or university vary based on the level of the college program, regardless of whether you are applying for an SDS or non-SDS study visa. It’s important to note that there is no separate requirement for either stream to obtain an offer letter.

However, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has established a minimum IELTS criteria for applying for a Canadian study visa under the SDS program. Currently, the requirement is an overall band score of 6 in IELTS Academic or General, with no module score less than 6.

For non-SDS study visa applications, IRCC has not set a specific minimum IELTS requirement. In this case, the IELTS test is solely needed to secure an offer letter from the colleges or universities you are applying to.

It is important to keep in mind that individuals who have an overall IELTS band score of 6, with 5.5 in 1-2 modules, have always been eligible to apply for a study visa under the non-SDS category. However, if you are seeking admission to a higher-level diploma or degree program where the college or university has set higher band requirements, securing an offer letter may not be as straightforward. In such cases, meeting the minimum IELTS requirement alone may not be sufficient, and it is advisable to check the specific band requirements of the desired program before applying.

Success Rate Between SDS Program and Non – SDS Program

Non-SDS study visas tend to have a slightly lower success rate compared to SDS visas. On average, the annual approval rate for non-SDS study visas is around 65%, while the approval rate for SDS study visas ranges from 75% to 85%.

It is important to consider that this difference in success rates could be attributed to various factors. For instance, individuals who face a refusal under the SDS stream may subsequently reapply under the non-SDS category. In such cases, their profile may have been lacking in certain aspects that led to the initial refusal under SDS.

Eligible Countries for SDS Program

Citizens who are legal residents residing in the following countries are eligible to apply for a Canadian study visa under the Student Direct Stream (SDS):

1. Antigua and Barbuda
2. Brazil
3. China
4. Colombia
5. Costa Rica
6. India
7. Morocco
8. Pakistan
9. Peru
10. Philippines
11. Senegal
12. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
13. Trinidad and Tobago
14. Vietnam