Incoming Freshman Stream Direct Stream
Three nations, India, China, and Korea, account for the vast majority of Canada’s foreign student population. The good news is that foreign students from certain nations in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America can now complete the Canadian study application process in even less time than before. The Student Direct Stream (SDS) shortens the time it takes to get a study pass in Canada from several months to just 20 days. Meet the criteria for a study pass and the extra requirements we cover below to be eligible for faster application handling.

Exactly what does SDS, or the Student Direct Stream, entail?

The Student Direct Stream (SDS), which began operations in 2018, is the successor to the Student Partners Program. (SPP). By streamlining the application process for Canadian study permits, the SDS hopes to increase the positive social, cultural, and fiscal effects that foreign students have in the country. Despite COVID-19’s relaxation of application requirements for normal study pass candidates, the Student Direct Stream continues to require full applications.
The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is open to students who meet certain criteria.

If you are a Canadian from one of the 14 SDS participating nations, you may be able to file for a Canadian study permit. Remember that in order to qualify for expedited visa processing through the SDS, you must be physically present in the nation; otherwise, you must go through the standard procedure for applying for a study pass.

China and the Republic of India; Morocco; Pakistan; the Philippines; Senegal; Vietnam; Antigua and Barbuda; Brazil; Colombia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Costa Rica; Peru; Trinidad and Tobago

Permit Requirements for Student Direct Stream

If you want to go to Canada to study but you need to use the Student Direct Stream, you’ll need to satisfy some extra criteria. Some examples include improving your scholastic English or French language skills and saving up $10,000 CAD to use toward your education in Canada. The following is a checklist of everything you’ll need to register for a Canadian study visa through the SDS.

How can I help you?

● An acceptance letter
● Proof that you paid your tuition for your first year of study;
● A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAD $10,000;
● A (CAQ) from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (only if you’re planning to study in Quebec);
● A medical exam (if needed);
● A police certificate (if needed);
● Your most recent school transcript;
● English language test results (IELTS) academic or general training score of six or higher in each skill (reading, writing, speaking, or listening) OR;
● French language test results (TEF) score that’s equal to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of seven.
  

So, what exactly is a GIC, or Guaranteed Investment Certificate?

A GIC serves as evidence of a $10,000 CAD savings account in Canada. You will receive a single lump amount payment when you first arrive in Canada to begin your education. When pupils first come in Canada, they are typically given $2,000. Payouts for the remaining balance will be made on a monthly or bimonthly basis for the following 10 or 12 months.

Providers of Guaranteed Investment Contracts

What financial institution, then, should serve as the site of your stock account? Choosing a bank that offers a GIC, which contains an assured rate of return for a specified time period, is the first step. Financial institutions that provide GICs are required to verify your identification before disbursing any funds held in a student or investor account. Find a selection of banks that provide GICs below.

Investment banks that provide GICs

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), Desjardins Financial Services, Bank of Montreal (BMO), Bank of Xian Co. Ltd, Bank of Beijing, and Desjardins Financial Services. Canadian’s HSBC Bank, China’s ICBC, and India’s ICICI all make the list. Keep in mind that not every bank offers services in every country that participates in the SDS. For specifics on which Canadian institutions are ideal for GICs, please refer to the accompanying illustration. You should also open a cash account with the bank you choose for your GIC so that you can pay for regular expenditures and withdraw money from your investment as needed. Pick a bank that goes above and beyond to help foreign pupils. Check out some of the best Canadian banks that cater to foreign students and the benefits you can anticipate to receive as a customer. 

Steps to Obtaining a Canadian Student Visa in Under Two Weeks

Initial Step: Ensure Yourself a Spot in the Student Direct Stream
If you are eligible for a Canada study visa and have gathered the necessary papers, the application process can be completed in a portion of the time.

Step 2: Submit an Online Application
There is no offline component to the Student Direct Stream. In order to apply, you must first establish an account on our website and then upload your application and supporting materials. The fee to obtain a study pass is $150, plus an extra $85 if you are required to submit biometrics.

Step 3: Invite Your Relatives
Spouses & children under the age of 18 can apply for open work and study licenses that will enable them to work and attend elementary and secondary schools in Canada while you earn your Canadian credential. If you want your applications processed more quickly, it’s crucial that they be submitted at the same moment as yours.

The Path to Prosperity Through Postsecondary Education in Canada

You will definitely leave Canada with a world-class education under your belt and a bright future ahead of you. But suppose you don’t have to go anywhere. Choosing to pursue postsecondary education in Canada is a guaranteed strategy for securing legal residency in this remarkable nation.
You can put your new Canadian credential to good use with the help of specialized programs for foreign grads like the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP), which will allow you to stay in Canada for as long as it took you to earn your credential. If your Bachelor’s degree took three years to complete, you can legally work in Canada for as long as three years. This is more than enough time to establish yourself in the Canadian labor market. This will appear great on your résumé and will also help you meet the requirements of immigration programs like Canada’s Experience Class (CEC).
In most cases, foreign graduates can expect their visa applications to be approved as they follow a clear and well-defined route to permanent residency. The Great North is full of possibility, and a promising future, for those who choose to further their education in Canada.

What Can We Do to Assist You?

Put your visa application in the capable hands of our student advisers and certified visa experts for expert advice and assistance. You can count on our team of devoted student advisors to help you find the best possible educational school for your needs and finances, and to walk you through the enrollment process until you have your acceptance notice in hand. When you hire us, we’ll handle the application process from start to finish, providing you with an inventory of required documents and submitting your application on your behalf.

FAQs

1. What sets SDS universities in Canada apart from their non-SDS counterparts?

Some countries can take advantage of the Student Direct Stream (SDS). Most universities and institutions in Canada are members of the Student and Diploma Service (SDS) and have a Designated Learning Number (DLN). Even if the school of your choice is not participating in this program, you may still file for a student visa. A normal Study Visa application, however, can take more time to process. Applying for a temporary work, study, or immigration permit in Canada through Non-SDS is the usual process. All international travelers are welcome to apply, regardless of where they call home.

2. Can I still apply to an SDS school if I haven’t taken and passed the IELTS exam?

The results of a credible linguistic evaluation must be presented. The exam must have been taken within two years of the SDS application’s acceptance and show either the following: a score of 6.0 or more higher on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking); or A minimum number on the French Test d’Evaluation de Français (TEF), which is roughly equivalent to a CLB 7 in Canada, is needed. A score of 310 for oral communication, 249 for hearing, 207 for written work, and 310 overall.

3. Is the SDS a viable option for acquiring Canadian permanent residency?

Canada makes it easy for foreign students to become permanent residents if they decide to remain in the country after graduation. With the Post-Graduate Work Permit, international graduates can remain in Canada for up to three years and continue their careers. Graduates from abroad who have worked in Canada for at least a year may be eligible to apply for permanent citizenship.