Student Direct Stream (SDS): Complete Guide and Eligibility
Darshan Shah
25 Jul 2024
What is Student Direct Stream (SDS)?
The full form of SDS in context with Canada is Student Direct Stream.
If you are looking forward to study in Canada, one is quite aware that getting a study visa is not an easy task; it requires quite a time in advance for the processing of your application. It is highly advised to start your visa application as soon as possible when you get an admission letter from the university of your choice. The entire process may take a few months to be accomplished.
In order to facilitate and fast-track the application process for this rather long-time visa, the Canadian Student Direct Stream (SDS) was implemented by the government of Canada. The most highlighted part of this step is associated with the efficiency and pace of visa processing offshore students. SDS will help students by providing quicker visa approval. This scheme eases the path to pursuing further studies in Canada more quickly compared to before.
International students seeking admission to Designated Learning Institutes (DLI) in Canada can anticipate a streamlined study permit application process through the Student Direct Stream program initiated by Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
SDS Visa: Processing Time
For SDS, the processing time of the visa application is 4-6 weeks rather than an average of 2-3 months. In fact, eligible applicants will have their applications processed within 20 calendar days, thus drastically cutting down the wait time compared with the usual procedures for a visa.
Study in Canada
To study in Canada, it's important to have some understanding of Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) and Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GIC).
Designated Learning Institute (DLI)
Generally, the DLI in Canada refers to those schools certified by either the provincial or territorial government to know international students. To enter and study in Canada, foreign students have to obtain a valid permit as a student and be enrolled at a DLI.
Those include universities, colleges, and a number of other educational institutions among the eligible ones, so long as they correspond to the requirements set by IRCC. IRCC assigns an individual DLI number that each DLI must include in applications by international students for a study permit.
Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)
A Guaranteed Investment Certificate is a Canadian investment vehicle purchased from a bank or other financial institution. It is an investment instrument in which part A of an investor's money is put with the institution under a fixednám period and at a lending interest rate that shall be guaranteed. The principal amount is invested with a guarantee that it is not going to drop, while the interest payment may be based on the agreed interest rate and terms.
Most of the international students who are planning to study in Canada will need a GIC as a specified portion of the proof of finance for their Study Permit application. A GIC should have funds covering all the living costs for the first year in Canada, less prepaid tuition fees. This GIC amount, together with the tuition fee payment and other sources of funds available, will be considered as proof that the student is able to sustain themselves financially in the course of their studies in Canada.
Canada Student Visa Requirements for Student Direct Stream (SDS)
International students applying through the Student Direct Stream need to meet the principal requirements set by IRCC. The following are the principal requirements:
Acceptance letter from a DLI.
They must provide evidence of the initial yearly fees to be paid in the form of an official receipt from the DLI, accompanied by a confirmation letter drawn up by the SLO to confirm the complete payment. They also have to provide evidence of a bank receipt for a transaction from the account of the student to the DLI.
The student must possess a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAD 10,000, approximately Rs 6 lakh, drawn in favor of a bank listed in the Published list of Participating Banks on the IRCC SDS website or the Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Language Proficiency in English must be proved with a minimum of IELTS 6.0 or TEF equivalent to at least Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing. Tests must be done within the past 2 years of the SDS application date.
Latest secondary or postsecondary education transcript and mark sheets must be submitted along with the applicant's relevant educational degree certificates.
Evidence of a doctor's medical examination. In some programs, the medical examination results may be required in advance for documentation and may be in paper or PDF form.
Eligibility Criteria: Canada SDS (Student Direct Stream) Requirements
Fast processing of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) in Canada is available to anyone who:
Resides legally in any of the countries below:
Antigua, Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Saint Vincent, The Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago, Vietnam.
Receives a letter from their province or territory.
Have an acceptance letter to a post-secondary learning institution in Canada that has been designated.
Apply from outside of Canada.
Proof of tuition fee payment of the first year.
Hold a GIC in the stipulated amount depending on the province or territory the student will study in.
If studying in Quebec, get a CAQ or Quebec Acceptance Certificate.
The need for medical examination before submission of the application may be required.
Police certificate if required.
Submit the latest applicable secondary or post-secondary transcripts.
Attain the threshold in any of the recognized language proficiency tests.
Supplementary documents may be demanded from the applicant to ensure he or she submits all the papers required to process his or her application in the respective visa office, and this could further prolong the processing time.
Proof of Tuition Payment
An applicant may demonstrate full payment of tuition for the first year of study through the presentation of any of the following documents:
A receipt from a DLI.
An official letter from the DLI confirming Tuition Fee payment.
A bank receipt showing the transfer of tuition fees to DLI.
Proof of money sent to the depository account in DLI to be used as tuition fees someday.
Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)
A Guaranteed Investment Certificate, GIC, is a Canadian investment that provides a guaranteed rate of return for a specified period. Periodically, various banks offer various forms of GICs.
When purchasing a GIC, it is required that the bank must confirm your purchase with one of the following documents:
Letter of attestation
GIC Certificate
Investment Directions Confirmation
Investment Balance Confirmation
Requirement for identification before the money is made available
Once in Canada, the funds will be made available by the bank in the method described below:
Lump sum/single upfront payment after you identify yourself
The remaining amount on a monthly or bi-monthly basis over a period of 10 to 12 months
Under the SDS, the GIC should always be kept in an investment or student account and will be released upon your arrival in Canada. You can't apply through SDS if the GIC doesn't conform to these conditions.
SDS Category Means: Medical Exams and Police Certificates
Depending on where you live, you may need to give your biometrics, have a medical exam, or get a police certificate to apply. Including these documents in your application for the Student Direct Stream can help you get faster processing. If you don't include them, your application won't be processed faster.
Who Needs a Medical Exam
You may require a medical examination if:
You lived or traveled in certain country or countries or territories for six or more months in the year before coming to Canada
You will study or work in:
The health field
Primary or secondary education
Child or elder care
To get a medical exam you need to see a doctor who is on the list of doctors approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada IRCC.
Who Needs a Police Certificate
Your visa office instructions will let you know if you must get a police certificate. Check these instructions for applicants in your country of residence to find out what you need to do. Read them before you apply so you will know which test you need to take, or if you need to get any police certificates or other documents.
SDS For Canada Language Tests requirement:
You need an appropriate language test result that meets the minimum score required. Your language test results must be less than two years old when we receive your application. Tests need to be taken in person; online tests are not accepted.
Attend these documents, and you can be sure of guaranteed fast processing for your SDS application. If you do not attach these documents, you will not have fast processing.
Applying through the Student Direct Stream (SDS) for Canada Student Visa:
Once you receive your acceptance letter, GIC, and all supporting documents, you can proceed with your online application through the Student Direct Stream. Keep in mind that the SDS application is an online-only process; there is no paper application. Make sure to have all the documents ready, and also have a valid credit or debit card to pay for required biometrics, before beginning your application.
After you apply, you will receive a letter instructing you on what to do and where to go to give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo).
Some of the forms that you will be required to fill out when applying for SDS include:
Application for Study Permit Made Outside of Canada
Family Information
Document Checklist
Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union
Custodianship Declaration – Custodian for Minors Studying in Canada
Appointment of a Representative (If Applicable)
Authorization to release information on your behalf to a named individual (Significant Other, Family Member, Friend)
Note: A study permit is no form of travel visa. Most likely, you will need either a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada. The other documents are issued to you by the federal government as one for the entire period of study permit.
Incomplete SDS Student Direct Stream Application
The moment one sends an incomplete application for a Student Direct Stream, it is rejected, and the study permit is denied. The visa officials will not take incomplete forms. This application form is of prime importance to the officials to understand the profile of applicants, and if any information or documents are missing, it will be denied. Minor mistakes might reject the approval of a study permit due to huge competition. Moreover, if the incorrect or failure to include the applied processing fee, the application will be rejected.
Family Members of SDS Applicants
Concurrent processing for family members of SDS applicants is possible if they are submitted in the same application as the student. For additional family members or family member questions, they are directed to the family member subsection in R1. A temporary residence application such as a study permit, work permit, or temporary resident visa for family members coming with the student must be lodged under the 'family grouping' category online.
Canada has attempted to make immigration easier and more flexible for international students under the SDS. International students will be able to acquire their study permit quickly, especially under the SDS program. This will process in only 20 days, unlike the regular application procedure that takes more than 2 months. Reach out to the counselors at D-VIVID CONSULTANT for more information regarding documents or eligibility.
SDS stands for Student Direct Stream, which refers to a fast-track route for visa applications by students seeking admission to study in Canada. It refers to a faster process of obtaining visas for applicants.
Why should I choose SDS college over a non-SDS?
Choosing SDS over non-SDS offers several benefits: faster processing times (around 20 days versus several months), clear eligibility criteria, simplified document requirements, enhanced support services, and consistent processing standards across regions. These advantages ensure a smoother and more efficient application process for international students seeking study permits in Canada.
Does the SDS Replace IRCC’s Regular Study Permit Stream?
The SDS is not a parallel program but enhanced processing available for IRCC's regular study permit stream. If a student applies using the SDS process but does not meet the SDS requirements, the application will be processed as a regular study permit application.
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