Student Direct Stream Canada: Application, Student Visa, Processing Time
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SDS Canada full form is Student Direct Stream Canada. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) use this process to make the Canada student visa process easy and smooth. The Canadian study visa processing time under the SDS program is around 20 days. Make sure, you fulfil the SDS Canada requirements, at the time of application.
Update: The Government of Canada announced the end of the Student Direct Stream (SDS program) on 09 November 2024. This fast-track visa program was introduced in 2018 to make Canada student visa process smoother and quicker. The sudden policy change will impact future students planning to study in Canada.
SDS Canada is popularly known as the Student Direct Stream (SDS). It was introduced by Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to make the Canada study visa process easy and smother for international students. Earlier, the process of getting a student visa of Canada was time taking and complex. Due to the Student Direct Stream Canada, the visa process became smoother and more efficient. Indian students applying to universities of Canada can now expect a faster visa processing time.
The IRCC replaced the long lengthy Student Partners Program (SPP) with a new Student Direct Stream program. In this article, we will cover the entire information about this Student Direct Stream study visa program including how to apply, eligibility, required documents, fees and Canada SDS visa processing time.
What is SDS Canada?
Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada introduced the new Student Direct Stream program. This is helpful for international students who want to get a Canadian student visa to study in Canada. Now, students can expect the student VISA in less than 20 days after application submission. Needless to say, this made the student visa process faster.
The SDS Canada program is helpful for students who belong to India, from Antigua, Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Saint Vincent, the Grenadines, Vietnam, Trinidad and Tobago.
How to Apply for SDS?
The application process of the Student Direct Stream program is easy for you if you have basic knowledge of the internet. Below, we have mentioned a step-by-step process to help you understand the application process of SDS.
- Visit the official website of IRCC and fill up the IMM 1294 form (Required for everyone)
- Upload the scanned copies of your academic and personal documents.
- Pay the application fee by using an online payment method. Keep in mind, CAD 150 for the SDS Canada application fee and CAD 85 for the biometrics fee.
- You need to provide your photo and fingerprint for biometrics. This step will start after paying the biometrics fee.
- Later, you may need to undergo a medical exam.
- After background verification, you’ll receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for entry into Canada as an international student.
Before you start the application process for SDS Canada, you must have two things handy.
- Scanned copies of your documents.
- A working credit/debit card to make the payment.
Related Articles: Difference Between SDS and Non-SDS Colleges in Canada
SDS Canada Visa Eligibility Requirements
The points given below provide the latest information about SDS Canada eligibility for Indian students.
- Students are supposed to submit their SDS Canada visa applications electronically.
- Language test results: IRCC SDS requirements with respect to proficiency in language abilities (reading, speaking, listening, and writing) include the following:
- CAEL: minimum 60 (overall)
- CELPIP General: equivalent to a CLB 7 (each ability)
- IELTS Academic: minimum 6 (overall)
- IELTS General: equivalent CLB 7 (each ability)
- TCF Canada: equivalent to CLB 7 (each ability)
- TCF Tout public: minimum 400 (overall)
- TEF Canada: equivalent to CLB 7 (each ability)
- TEF 5 épreuves: minimum 400
- TOEFL iBT: minimum 83 (overall)
- PTE Academic: minimum 60 (overall)
- Students must pay full tuition fees for the first year of study.
- Students must buy a Guaranteed Investment of Certificate (GIC) of CAD 20,635 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.
Who Can Not Apply for 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.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
Documents Required for SDS Canada Visa Application
The points given below provide information about the documents required for SDS Canada application:
- Copy of your acceptance letter from the DLI.
- Most recent secondary or post-secondary education academic transcripts.
- Copy of your upfront medical examination confirmation.
- Proof of GIC payment of CAD 20,635.
- An official letter from DLI confirming payment of tuition fee.
- Proof of English language proficiency.
- 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.
What is a Guaranteed Investment Certificate?
Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) is a short-term investment offered by the banks of Canada. It is mandatory to show the GIC investment proof at the time of the SDS Canada application. In simple words, it is proof that student has an amount in back up to fund their expenses while studying in Canada. Consider it as a prerequisite for a Canadian Student Visa. The IRCC has set the GIC Canada amount CAD 20,635 (INR 12,75,878 Approx).
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
Advantages of Applying Through SDS Canada
Here are some advantages of applying through Student Direct Stream:
- Faster processing time than non-SDS visa application.
- You'll get your student visa in just 20 days if the biometrics process is done.
- With less financial documentation, it's easier for eligible students to meet the criteria.
- SDS applicants have access to dedicated support from Canadian visa offices.
- A wider range of universities and colleges options.
The Student Direct Stream (SDS) offers a quicker and smoother process for getting a Canadian study permit. To be eligible for the SDS program, students need to meet eligibility criteria, such as paying GIC ammount to cover the full tuition for the first year of study, medical examination, and IELTS score of 6.0 in each section.
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.
Also, read:
SDS Canada Visa FAQs
Q. What is SDS Canada?
A. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) launched the SDS (Student Direct Stream) programme. The programme is created to expedite the processing of study permits for specific overseas students (20 calendar days). It is accessible to certain overseas students from nations like India. It is available for students who wish to study at a DLI (designated learning institution).
Q. What are the requirements for SDS Canada visa?
A. Here are the requirements to qualify for the SDS Canada visa:
- Resident of a certain country (includes India)
- Acceptance letter from a DLI
- Applicant must be living outside of Canada at the time of application
- Proof of payment of first year tuition fee
- Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of C$20,635
- Medical examination certificate
- Police clearance certificate
- IELTS score of at least 6.0 in each section
- Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) (if applying to a DLI in Quebec).
Q. Is IELTS compulsory for SDS Canada?
A. In order to prove their foreign language proficiency, students may appear for IELTS or Test d’évaluation de français (TEF).
Now, PTE Academic will also be accepted for Canada SDS applications. In addition to this, when it comes to IELTS, students need to score at least 6.0 in each part of the IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training Module. As for the TEF, students need to score at least 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB).
Q. What is the processing time and application fee for SDS Canada visa?
A. If you meet all the eligibility requirements, it might take up to 20 calendar days for the processing of your SDS Canada visa. You must provide your biometrics and meet the eligibility requirements for faster processing of your application. The application fee for SDS Canada visa is C$150.
For payment, the following credit and prepaid cards are accepted: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, and UnionPay. All Visa debit cards are also accepted.
Q. What is DLI Canada?
A. DLI Canada stands for Designated Learning Institution in Canada. It is a type of educational institute in Canada, approved by the government to host international students.
Q. What is the average processing time for SDS applications?
A.IRCC takes 20 calendar days to approve student visa applied through Student Direct Stream. you can track the status of your SDS application online using the IRCC website.
Q: Â How do I get admission in Humber College, Canada?
Q: Â What is the processing time for the application process at Northern College, Canada?
Northern College can take up to 6 weeks to provide an offer letter to international students. Since thousands of applications are enrolled at the college for programs under different specializations, the college reviews each application and segregates them. The whole process is quite time-consuming. The segregation of applications is done based on the student’s academic performance, English language scores, extracurricular activities, and relevant experiences.
Q: Â What IELTS score is required for UCW Canada?
Yes, the minimum English proficiency requirements for admission in the University of Canada West are:
| TEST | MINIMUM OVERALL SCORE | MINIMUM WRITING SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS – Academic | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| IELTS – Indicator | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| CAEL | 70 | 60* |
| CAEL Online | 70 | 60* |
| CAE* | 176 | N/A |
| Duolingo* | 110 | 100* |
| Password | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| PTE – Academic | 61 | 60 |
| TOEFL – iBT | 88 | 20* |
*The minimum writing score is also applicable to all assessed components of the test.
*May be either of the following three tests; Cambridge B2 First; Cambridge C1 Advanced; or Cambridge C2 Proficiency
*After July 31, 2023, UCW will only accept Duolingo from applicants from Ukraine, Russia, Iran and Belarus. However, UCW may accept Duolingo from applicants in other countries where no other English proficiency test is available. If an applicant is submitting a Duolingo test score from any country other than Ukraine, Russia, Iran or Belarus, they must send it along with an explanation letter, but acceptance is not guaranteed. All other applications with a Duolingo result submitted after July 31, 2023 will be returned.
*Writing is assessed as the average score for achievement in both Literacy and Production.
Q: Â How to apply in Royal Roads University Canada?
International students can apply for Royal Roads University admissions by following the below steps:
Step 1: Find your programme from Royal Roads University courses
Step 2: Check programme specific deadline and admission requirements
Step 3: Now, fill your Royal Roads University admission application online as early as possible
Step 4: Pay non-refundable Royal Roads University application fee
Step 5: Submit all your supporting documents
Step 6: Once submitted, check the status of your application online to see how it's progressing
Q: Â Is Canada or USA cheaper to study?
International students are more likely to receive financial help or scholarships from Canadian universities than from American ones, which is quite uncommon. Furthermore, tuition at Canadian institutions is typically 27% less expensive than that of US universities. However, some United States universities offer international students Financial aid and other scholarships that help them to study in the United States.
Q: Â What is the University of Canada West acceptance rate?
As per some unofficial sources, the University of West Canada acceptance rate is 80%, which means out of every 100 applications, around 80 are selected, which makes it fairly easy to get selected into the university.
The university gives preference to students having higher grades or have exceptional academic or research experience. Hence, having higher grades increases your chance of getting selected at University of West Canada.
Here is the list of eligibility requirements to get into Canadian Universities.
Q: Â What are the popular degree courses at University of British Columbia?
University of British Columbia offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degree courses for international students every year. Some of the popular degree programs at the university are given in the pie chart below:
Others Denote Finance, Marketing, Political Science and Government, etc.
Q: Â How many intakes are there in Saskatchewan of Polytechnic?
Applicants aspiring to get admissions into the Saskatchewan Polytechnic are required to submit their applications before the set deadline of that particular year. Following are the general admission deadlines, however, applicants should check the official website for program-specific application dates.
Entry Term | Deadlines |
|---|---|
January Intake | Oct 1, 2024 |
September Intake | May 1, 2024 |
Note: For international applicants with student visas, the application period closes on December 31.
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Humber College Canada requires international students to apply through the international college portal and view the programme and term in take availability as the admissions are offered based on programme space availability. Every programme has its own requirements and eligibility criteria. International students are also required to submit English Language tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo. Humber College application deadline is Feb 01,2025 for equal consideration. Post this date, admissions are offered on the space basis available. Therefore, students are required to apply as early as possible.