Student Direct Stream in Canada
Your guide to Study Direct Stream (SDS)
All students can get their visa faster via the SDS program.
All students applying to universities and colleges in Canada can now expect faster visa processing through the Study Direct Stream (SDS) program launched by the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada. Unlike the usual visa processing that may take up to 2-3 months, SDS allows students to avail their visa in 4-6 weeks. When a student who meets the eligibility criteria applies via SDS, most applications are processed within 20 calendar days.
A replacement to the erstwhile SPP program, SDS has more stringent rules and regulations to fulfill. However, it can be extremely beneficial for those who meet the criteria as it provides easy visa processing for SDS entitled DLI institutions and requires less financial documentation.
Before we move ahead, you’d need to understand a little about the Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) and Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC).
What is a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)?
A designated learning institution or DLI is a university, school or college approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. All public universities, colleges and major private universities and colleges in Canada are DLI. So, if you’re applying for a study permit, you are required to have a letter of acceptance letter from a DLI.
You should know that international students can only be recruited by a DLI; a non-DLI is not permitted to admit international students.
Note: DLI doesn’t entitle automatic eligibility for post-study work permit.
What is a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)?
A GIC is a Canadian investment that has a guaranteed rate of return for a fixed period of time.
In simple words, as a student wanting to study in Canada, you’ll be required to open a Canadian bank account online with any one of the designated banks. Once your account is created, the bank holds your GIC in a student account or an investment account that you’ll be able to access only when you arrive in Canada. It releases your funds only upon the confirmation of your identity when arrive in the country. While you can take an initial lump sum amount on arrival, the remaining is distributed monthly or bi-monthly over a period of 10-12 months.
Remember, the bank from which you purchase your GIC must provide you with any of the following:
- a GIC certificate
- a letter of attestation
- an Investment Balance confirmation
- an Investment Directions confirmation
The IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) verifies every GIC, eliminating the possibility of any kind of financial document related fraud. No other financial document is required under SDS to prove to the IRCC that the student has sufficient funds to support their tuition fee and living expenses.
What is the eligibility criteria for SDS?
To be able to apply for a study permit via SDS, you’ll have to fulfill certain conditions, such as
- Acceptance from a post-secondary designated learning institution (DLI)
- Tuition fee paid for your first year of study
- Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAD10,000
- Minimum score of 6 in IELTS with no band less than 6 or a TEF (Test d’évaluation de français – French language proficiency test) score that is equal to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of at least 7 in each skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
If you meet the criteria, you’ll have to submit the following documents:
- Letter of acceptance from a DLI
- Proof of payment of tuition fee for your first year of study
- Proof of Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) payment (certificate/letter of attestation)
- IELTS TRF or TEF scorecard
- Copy of your medical examination from an authorised panel of doctors
- Relevant academic background with complete academic documents