TOEFL Gets IRCC Approval, Score Now Accepted by Canadian HEIs

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (Internet-based test), or the TOEFL iBT, has been approved by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the Student Direct Stream (SDS). With this, starting August 10, 2023, international students can include their TOEFL iBT scores as a component of their SDS application while seeking admission to Canadian Higher Education Institutes (HEIs). So far, only the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) has enjoyed this recognition. 

SDS, or Student Direct Stream, is an accelerated study permit processing program designed for international students from select countries who want to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada.

TOEFL iBT is held globally, including in India, by the Education Testing Service (ETS). 

"Not only will the addition of TOEFL benefit the hundreds of thousands of students who take advantage of the SDS route each year, but institutions can feel confident knowing that they can access a wider pool of applicants who can demonstrate their skills with the premier test of English-language proficiency,” said Rohit Sharma, Sr. Vice-President of Global Higher Education and Wokskils at ETS, on the announcement. 

TOEFL acceptance by 100% of Canadian colleges and universities is expected to streamline the study permit application process, providing a more efficient pathway for students planning to enroll in designated learning institutions nationwide.