Can I Apply Student Visa With General Ielts
There are questions and doubts of many people: what IELTS consists in? Can it be taken? After all, visa systems are imposed by many countries. So there are a lot of issues that you need to deal with. If this is not your first trip abroad, you may know that you should have IELTS (Academic). But sometimes just do not understand why it is needed and whether it satisfies immigration rules worldwide. In this regard, we decided to write this article and answer all questions. The main question: what exactly is IELTS and can it be taken by foreign citizens if they want to get a student visa?
Can I apply student visa with general ielts? If you have completed general ielts and are looking to apply for the student visa then this blog post is for you. In this post we will see as to why it is important to have an ielts band score with your application and also see that whether you can apply without any band score or not. We will base our discussion today on – Can I Apply Student Visa With General Ielts. But, other resources which you can find on our website include some frequently asked questions such as: do universities accept general ielts and student visa ielts requirement
Can I Apply Student Visa With General Ielts
Considering going overseas to study? If so, one of the first things you will need to consider is which visa is right for you. After all, no one wants an unexpected ‘trip’ back home upon wanting to return with your degree (and there are some pretty strict rules when it comes to visas). So what options do you have, and how can you make sure you’re making the right decisions with regards to your visa?
Studying in the UK
The UK is home to some of the best universities in the world, from Oxford to Cambridge and those that glide under the radar, such as the University of Edinburgh. If you are looking to study in the UK, you’ll be happy to hear that most British universities and colleges accept IELTS Academic for UKVI results. Check out our Who accepts IELTS scores page for more information on the IELTS score you need to be able to study at particular institutions. The UK Government visa checklist is also useful to see if IELTS for UKVI is the test for you.
Migrating to the UK
If work or study is outside the reasons why you might move to the UK, and you want to take the family route as a spouse, partner or parent, you might need to provide evidence of your English skills. And in this case, IELTS Life Skills might be the route you take. But to be safe, check the UK Government visa checklist.
Working in the UK
Keen to work in the UK and uncover what it’s like to live like a local? The UK home office has a set list of occupations in shortage. So, if you are an engineer or scientist and are looking to move to the UK, you might be in luck. Other occupations that are currently on this list, include:
- Geologist
- Hydrogeologist
- Biological scientist
- Biochemist
- Civil Engineer
- Systems designer
- Nurse
If you wish to practice in the UK, the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) accepts IELTS Academic for UKVI test scores. And to be able to work in the UK, you can now use a single English language test for your UK visa application. Check the GMC website and the NMC website for the most up to date information on their English language requirements. For more information on UK Visa requirements, visit the UK immigration website.
The IELTS score you need will vary depending on the occupation in question. Check the UK Government visa checklist to see which visa and IELTS for UKVI test apply to you.
We’ve had a look at the types of IELTS for UKVI tests that can get you to the UK. Let’s take a closer look at what day-to-day life might look like.
Fun in the UK
The UK is the sixth-largest economy in the world, with London as the central economic hub. Leading on from its multicultural nature, good food is easy to find no matter what corner of the UK you are in. If you are after some good British cuisine, fish and chips on the rocky shores of Brighton is a must-do.
The UK’s connected nature makes travel across –the country and abroad easy. Stunning castles, historic houses, quaint pubs and thriving music, arts and theatre scenes mean you will never be left bored. The visit Great Britain website offers endless inspirations for sightseeing in the UK.
Healthcare in the UK
On a more serious note, the UK has a solid healthcare system called the National Health Service (NHS). International students, for example, can easily access to the NHS once they pay for the International Health Surcharge (IHS). You can use the government’s immigration health surcharge calculatorto work out if the surcharge applies to you and how much you might need to pay.
Who needs IELTS for UKVI
IELTS for UKVI is an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) for visa applications to the UK. You need a valid English Language test for UK Visa score to study, work or migrate to the UK. If you wish to get a UK Spouse Visa, you will need a valid IELTS for UKVI score.
Which IELTS is best for me
So, I hear you ask, which IELTS for UKVI test is best for me? IELTS for UKVI has a number of test options available. Depending on the visa you require you may take any of the following tests:
- IELTS Academic for UKVI
- IELTS General Training for UKVI
Student Direct Stream (SDS)
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is an expedited study permit processing program for those who are applying to study in Canada at a post-secondary designated learning institution (DLI). The SDS is available to legal residents who also reside in
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Brazil
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- India
- Morocco
- Pakistan
- Peru
- Philippines
- Senegal
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Vietnam
To be eligible, applicants must meet specific requirements by providing documentation up front.
On this page
- About the SDS
- Eligibility criteria
- Incomplete applications
- Family members of study permit applicants under the SDS
- Prerequisite courses and bridging programs of study
About the SDS
Some international students can get their study permits faster by using the SDS. IRCC processes most SDS applications within 20 calendar days if the eligibility requirements are met.
Only applications submitted electronically are eligible for SDS processing. All paper applications are processed under the regular study permit application stream and are subject to the associated processing times.
Foreign nationals who are eligible for SDS processing are still subject to all other eligibility and admissibility requirements under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).
Eligibility criteria
The applicant must include the following documents to be eligible for SDS processing:
- proof of a valid language test result, completed within 2 years of the date the SDS application was received, showing either of the following:
- an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.0 or higher in each language skill: listening, reading, writing and speaking
- a test évaluation de français (TEF) score that is equivalent to a Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) score of at least 7 for each ability
- proof of a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAN$10,000 or more from any bank insured by the Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) or any bank listed on the IRCC SDS web pageThe GIC must meet the following criteria:
- When the GIC has been purchased, the bank provides a letter of attestation, the GIC certificate, the Investment Directions Confirmation or the Investment Balance Confirmation to the applicant.
- The bank holds the funds in an investment account or a student account that is inaccessible for release to the applicant until the applicant’s arrival in Canada.
- Upon entry to Canada, the bank must validate the client’s identity before releasing funds to the study permit holder.
- The applicant receives an initial disbursement upon identifying themselves, and the remaining funds are disbursed in monthly or bimonthly instalments over a period of 10 to 12 months.
- proof of full payment of tuition for the applicant’s first year of studyThis may be in the form of the following:
- a receipt from the DLI
- an official letter from the DLI confirming payment of tuition fees
- a receipt from a bank showing that tuition fees have been paid to the DLI
- proof that the tuition fee amount has been transferred into a repository account at the DLI to be applied to the tuition bill at a later date
- letter of acceptance from a post-secondary DLI
- most recent secondary or post-secondary educational transcript
- proof of completion of upfront medical examination from a panel physician for applicants
- who have lived or travelled for 6 months in designated countries or territories during the year before coming to Canada
- whose field of study requires upfront medical examination results
In addition to the above criteria, applicants for SDS processing must include as part of their electronic application (e-application) the following documents:
- Application for Study Permit Made Outside Canada form [IMM 1294] (PDF, 566 KB) (overseas)
- Family Information form [IMM 5645] (PDF, 1.56 MB) (if applicable)
- Schedule 1 – Application for a Temporary Resident Visa form [IMM 5257] (PDF, 533 KB) (if applicable)
- marriage licence or certificate or Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union form [IMM 5409] (PDF, 637 KB) (if applicable)
- Use of a Representative form [IMM 5476] (PDF, 648 KB) (if applicable)
- Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) or letter of approval from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) for a CAQ for applicants destined to Quebec
- application processing fee payment and biometric processing fee payment (if applicable)
- proof of identity
- photocopy of the information and biographical data page of the applicant’s passport
- any additional documents specified by the visa office instructions for the applicant’s region
Note: In most cases, the applicant is required to submit biometrics. After the applicant has submitted a complete application, including the payment of the application and biometric processing fees (if applicable), they are sent a biometric instruction letter (BIL), which includes instructions on submitting biometrics.
Officers may also request additional documents from the applicant at any time in order to make a decision on their application.
Officers must be satisfied that the applicant is bona fide and will leave Canada by the end of the period authorized for their stay.
Incomplete applications
Incomplete applications are refused. With the exception of the biometric fee, if the application processing fee has not been included or is incorrect, the application is refused. If the biometric fee is missing, the officer is to request the fee.
Family members of study permit applicants under the SDS
Family members of principal applicants who are applying under the SDS are eligible for concurrent processing if they apply at the same time as the primary applicant. For more information, see the definition of a family member in subsection R1(3).
Temporary residence applications (work permit, study permit and temporary resident visa applications) of the accompanying family members must be submitted online as part of a family grouping.
Prerequisite courses and bridging programs of study
Applicants who are taking a prerequisite course or bridging program of study at a DLI before starting their main program may be eligible to apply under the SDS, provided they meet all the program eligibility criteria.
Example
Applicants still need to submit an e-application from overseas. However, the prerequisite course or bridging program of study must be clearly identified as such in the applicant’s letter of acceptance, and the applicant’s main program of study must lead to a degree, diploma or certificate.
