Everything about Student Direct Stream (SDS) in Canada

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Introduction

student direct stream

In June 2018, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced the Student Direct Stream (SDS), a new way for international students to apply for a study permit to study in Canada more quickly. IRCC developed this programme to handle the massive surge in applications from international students. The SDS has made it possible for students to process their study permits more swiftly than in the past.

Process

  • You may be eligible for expedited processing through the Student Direct Stream if you live in an area where the process is expedited (SDS).
  • Within 20 calendar days, the majority of SDS applications are processed. Some applications, on the other hand, may take longer.
  • It would be best if you sped up your computer to achieve better results.
  • Once you’ve met all the criteria, submit your biometric data.
  • To travel or enter Canada, you must have a visa or a study permit, which is not the same as a visa. Visiting access or electronic travel permission may also be required (eTA). If you do, we’ll combine your study permission with your guest visa or eTA.

Who can Apply?

To take advantage of the Student Direct Stream’s expedited service, you must be a legal resident of one of these countries:

    • Antigua and Barbuda
    • Brazil
    • China
    • Colombia
    • Costa Rica
    • India
    • Morocco
    • Pakistan
    • Peru
    • Philippines
    • Senegal
    • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
    • Trinidad and Tobago
    • Vietnam
  1. Post-secondary designated learning institution acceptance letters live outside of Canada. When you apply, have confirmation that you’ve paid your first year of tuition in total, $10,000
  2. obtain an Acceptance Certificate from the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration (MIFI) for Québec (CAQ)
  3. Anyone who wants to study in Quebec must first undergo a medical examination (if you need one)
  4. before applying for a job, get a police certificate (if you need one)
  5. have a copy of your most recent high school or college transcript (s)
  6. An academic or general training IELTS academic or general training score of 6 or higher in each of the four language skills is required; or a TEF score that is comparable to a CLB score of at least 7 in each of the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
  7. Depending on where you are applying, more paperwork may be needed. Include all the documents the visa office handling your application has requested.

Who is not eligible?

Even if you are a citizen of one of the nations listed above, you must use the standard application process for a study permit if you do not live in one of those countries.
Even if you’re a citizen of one of the nations listed above, you may still be eligible for a study permit through the usual application process if you live outside of the United States.

Proof of full tuition payment for the first year of the applicant’s studies

This could take the following form:

  • a DLI invoice for payment
  • confirmation from the DLI that tuition costs have been paid
  • DLI’s repository account receipt as proof of payment of tuition fees, which will be applied to a student’s tuition bill when it is due. This receipt can come in the form of a bank statement.
What exactly is a Designated Learning Institution?

International students can attend universities, schools, and colleges that have been classified as DLIs by their respective provinces or territories. All of Canada’s public and private colleges and universities, as well as the country’s largest private universities and colleges, are DLI members. Therefore, a letter of acceptance from a DLI is essential if you’re asking for a study permit.

A non-DLI may not admit international students; only a DLI has the authority to recruit international students for enrollment.
DLI does not automatically qualify you for a work permit after you finish your studies.

Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)

A GIC, or guaranteed investment certificate, is a Canadian investment with a predetermined rate of return. A wide range of financial institutions offers GICs. The bank that provides you with the GIC must meet the following requirements:

GICs can be confirmed by providing one of the following:

  • or an Investment Directions confirmation or an Investment Balance Confirmation letter of attestation
  • The GIC should be held in a non-accessible investment account or a student account until you arrive in Canada
    before releasing any payments to you, they need that you provide proof of your identification
    a one-time fee upon landing in Canada, upon proving your identity.
  • Over 10 to 12 months, the remainder of the monies.
  • The Student Direct Stream will not accept your application if your bank or GIC does not meet these requirements.
Financial institutions offer GICs

On the Canadian Deposit Insurance Company website, you can find a financial institution that offers a GIC. For the Student Direct Stream, make sure your financial institution provides a GIC.

GICs from the following financial institutions are eligible:

Exams for health and law enforcement

Depending on where you apply, you may be required to submit a medical checkup or obtain a police certificate. To expedite the Student Direct Stream’s processing time, you must include them in your application materials (if you need them). Please adhere to these guidelines so we can process your application as quickly as possible.

Who needs a medical exam?

If any of the following apply:

  • There were six months or more in which you resided or travelled outside your own country or territory before moving to Canada for study or employment.
  • An IRCC-approved physician must be consulted to conduct a medical examination.
Who needs a police certificate?

If a police certificate is required, you will learn about it from the visa office. These directions can be found by selecting your nation of residency from the list below. Please carefully read these instructions before submitting your application to ensure that it contains all the necessary supporting materials.

Bring your family to Canada, including your spouse or partner and children

  • You may also be able to expedite procedures for your spouse or common-law partner and your children.
  • visas for visitors, work permits, and educational licences
  • All of their applications must be completed and submitted at the same time. Our application processing time will be slowed if you don’t. Indicate on your online application that you will be bringing family members to Canada. Using this method, you can complete their applications with your own.

How to apply?

Use the Student Direct Stream to obtain a student visa

To expedite the processing of your study visa, you must submit your application online. There is no application for the Student Direct Stream to fill out on paper. Don’t forget to send in all the necessary paperwork with your application!

Ensure that you have the following items before you begin your online application:

  • filling out your forms with the help of this guide
  • a working credit or debit card, a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your papers

Pay your biometric fee

You’ll almost always be asked for your biometric data. The biometric fee must be paid at the time of online application submission. If you choose not to pay this fee, we might be unable to complete your application as quickly.

Visa application centres can assist you with the submission of your biometrics and the mailing of your passport.

After the application process

To prove your identity, you’ll need to provide your fingerprints and a photo of yourself (biometrics)

Please wait for an email from us stating that you must provide biometrics once you have paid all of your costs and submitted your application (if you need to). You’ll find all the instructions in the letter. When providing your biometric data, kindly bring a copy of this letter. A valid passport is also required. Biometrics can be given in person for up to 30 days.
Unless you pay the biometrics fee, we’ll first send you a letter requesting that you do so. Paying the biometrics fee is the only way to receive the instruction letter.

Process your application for a study permit

The centre will need to collect your biometric data to process your study permit application. If you match the qualifying requirements, it will process most Student Direct Stream applications within 20 calendar days of receiving your biometrics.
If your application doesn’t fulfil the Student Direct Stream’s eligibility requirements, they will consider it a regular study permit. If this occurs, you will not benefit from speedier processing.
Get a timeline for processing a standard study permit application.
They’ll send you an email if your application is accepted.
a letter of introduction for a port of entry
This isn’t a student visa. The immigration officer will need a copy of this letter when you arrive in Canada.
A visiting (temporary resident) visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA), depending on how you intend to enter Canada.
Make sure your DLI is on the approved COVID-19 readiness plan list before travelling to Canada. If your DLI isn’t on this list, you won’t be able to enter Canada.

Where can I find an eTA?

It will be mentioned in your letter of introduction. If your passport expires before you use up your eTA, you’ll be able to use it until the end of its five-year validity period. Make sure you travel with the passport you used to apply for the visa or passport.

If you must obtain a visa to enter the nation

For this reason, they will need your passport returned to the nearest visa office so that they can apply for your visa to its proper location. You’ll find your visa in your passport, which indicates how many times you can enter Canada. Enter Canada as soon as possible before your visa is about to expire!

Getting your study permit

  • ArriveCAN is a must-have.
  • To enter Canada, you must furnish all necessary travel information via ArriveCAN.
  • The most recent version of ArriveCAN is required. ArriveCan requires you to resubmit your information if you already submitted it using an older app version.
  • At the point of entrance, an officer will verify that you are eligible for entry into Canada. You will receive your study permit from the officer, who will print it out and present it.
  • Ensure that you have all of the necessary documentation to enter Canada.
  • Most students’ study visas are valid during their academic programmes. The validity of your study permit is limited to the period until the expiration of your passport. Upon obtaining a new passport, you’ll need to reapply for an extension of your study permit.
  • Before leaving, ask the officer if you have any queries or worries about your study permit.

Refuse your application

They’ll explain in writing why you were turned down. For more information, contact the department that sent you the refusal letter.

FAQs

What Happens to the Regular Study Permit Stream at IRCC Now That the SDS Is Available?

However, the SDS is not an alternative to IRCC’s standard study permit but rather an expedited route. Applicants not eligible for the SDS will have their applications processed by standard processes.

Does the SDS have any new plans?

Over the following five years, the SDS will be expanded by the government. Students from outside the United States will benefit from a new application service that promises to expedite the application process. If you’re interested in working on an internship, you can apply for a work permit and a temporary resident visa simultaneously.

Under the SDS application, which of these English proficiency tests are acceptable?

To be eligible for financial aid under the SDS programme, you must have a valid IELTS score, as other English proficiency tests are not approved.

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