For an applicant from Pakistan with two separate gaps in their education timeline (2006–2018 and 2020–2023) applying for a September 2023 intake, the group clarified a common point of confusion and reinforced a general SOP principle:
- A Duolingo score is not a substitute for IELTS/PTE on the visa application. It can be used to secure admission to a university or college — but only if that specific institution accepts Duolingo for admission purposes (check their website directly). Regardless of how you got admitted, IRCC's study permit application still requires a recognized test like IELTS or PTE.
- Address every gap in your timeline, not just the most recent one. The SOP should be genuinely explanatory, covering all education and employment gaps with clear, supported reasoning for each — a single vague explanation covering only part of the timeline is more likely to raise questions from a visa officer.
Practical takeaway: don't assume that meeting a school's admission requirements (via Duolingo) also satisfies IRCC's visa requirements — plan to write IELTS or PTE regardless, and make sure your SOP accounts for every gap in your education and work history, not just the one closest to your application date.