Student Direct Stream (SDS) Canada : Application Process

SDS Canada Visa: Indian students applying to Canadian universities can now expect a faster visa processing time, thanks to the newly launched student visa program (SDS Canada). With effect from June 8, 2018, Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada has launched a new program namely Student Direct Stream (SDS) to make processing times faster for students from Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam. The SDS program is supposedly replacing SPP, the previous student visa program that also facilitated a faster visa process.

SDS Canada visa applications are usually processed within 20 calendar days, provided a student meets all the eligibility criteria. As per the newly introduced SDS program, students must meet a certain set of criteria, stricter than those compared to the erstwhile SPP. In this article, we will cover all the details of SDS Canada visa in the simplest of languages.

Latest Update

SDS Canada Visa Eligibility Update: Students must note the latest update, with respect to the SDS Canada visa eligibility requirements, which will come into effect from August 10, 2023, onwards. From August 10, 2023, PTE Academic will be accepted in Canada for all Canada SDS applications. In early 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recognised PTE Core as proof of English language proficiency for Canada PR. Students need to note that the PTE Academic exam taken before August 10, 2023, will be considered for a Canada SDS visa if: the scores are not expired and they are submitted after August 10, 2023. 

SDS Canada Visa Eligibility Requirements

• Students are supposed to submit their SDS Canada visa applications electronically.
• Candidates must have a language test result that shows either an IELTS academic or general training score of 6.0 or higher in each skill (reading, writing, speaking, and listening).
• Students must pay full tuition fees for the first year of study.
• Students must buy a Guaranteed Investment of Certificate (GIC) of $10,000 from any bank insured by the Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) or any bank listed on the IRCC SDS website (ICICI Canada and SBI Canada).
• Colleges and institutions applied by the students must have a registered Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) number.
• Have a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) from the Ministry of Immigration if you are planning to study in Quebec. 
• Medical Examination 
• Police Certificate 
• Transcripts of the most recent secondary or post-secondary school.
• Must have an acceptance letter from a post-secondary Designated Learning Institute. 
• SDS Canada visa application fee of C$150.

Note: Depending upon where you are applying from more documents may be asked from you, In this situation, your application will take a longer time to process.  

Documents Required for SDS Canada Visa Application

• Copy of your acceptance letter from the DLI.
• Most recent secondary or post-secondary education transcript.
• Copy of your upfront medical examination confirmation.
• Proof of GIC payment of $10,000.
• An official letter from DLI confirming payment of tuition fee.
• Proof of English language requirements is an IELTS score of 6.0 in each module or the candidate must have graduated from a Canadian curriculum high school.
• Identity proof.
• Application for study permit made outside Canada.
• Family information form (if required).
• Temporary Resident Visa application form (if required).

Under this new program, all Canadian colleges and Institutions with a registered DLI number will come under SDS. Unlike SPP which allowed international students to apply to only about 45 odd PSI institutions, the SDS now is open to any college and university with a valid DLI number. The visa processing time for SDS student visa applications will be around 20 days. For non-SDS programs, the processing time will be the same as regular processing times which is around 7 weeks.

Financial Institutions that offer GICs

The GIC can be obtained from any of the financial institutions listed on the Canadian Deposit Insurance Company Website. Before choosing a financial institution you should make sure the financial institution you choose offers GICs and meets the criteria for Student Direct Stream. Below, we provide a list of financial institutions that meet the criteria for Student Direct Stream:

• ICICI Bank 
• SBI Canada Bank 
• HSBC Canada Bank 
• Bank of Beijing 
• Bank of China 
• RBC Royal Bank 
• Scotia Bank

Who is not eligible for Student Direct Stream (SDS Canada)

• If you live in one of the countries mentioned above, you are not eligible for SDS.
• If you live in another country (even if you are a citizen of one of the countries mentioned above) 
• If you do not meet the eligibility for faster processing of your visa 

However, you are still allowed to apply through the regular student permit process to study in Canada. 

Advantages of Applying Through SDS

• Faster visa processing time: SDS applications are normally processed in about 20 calendar days. For faster processing, students are advised to give their biometrics as soon as possible and to meet all the eligibility criteria
• Less financial documentation. 

Summing Up: Here are the Main Highlights:

• The entire visa processing time is reduced to around 20 calendar days.
• Every college and institution having a registered DLI comes under SDS increasing the options for students.
• GIC payment of $10,000
• Payment of full tuition for the first year
• Medical examination.
• Have an IELTS of 6.0 in each module.
• The processing fee for SDS Canada visa is CAD 150,

The SDS program seems to be a breather for Indian students who can now hope for a faster visa, more options, and opportunities for jobs and PR. For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.

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