Student Direct Stream (SDS Canada) - Complete Guide

Canada is an internationally acclaimed country that has a distinctive and welcoming culture that attracts students from all over the world. Canada's Student Direct Stream initiative is designed to make the process of applying for a student visa easier for international students.Student Direct Streams are designed for candidates from certain countries who wish to study in Canada and wish to have their student permit processes accelerated.

Under the Saskatchewan Development Strategy, students apply to universities under the Canada SDS programme and their Canada student permit process begins within two weeks, compared to the regular study permit process of students from nations that are not included in the Saskatchewan Development Strategy approved countries list. Taking advantage of the Canada SDS programme is a great way to significantly reduce the processing time for a Canada study permit.

Countries Eligible for SDS

If you are looking to apply for a student visain Canada through this programme, then you need to ensure you are a registered citizen of one of the following countries eligible for the student direct stream:

Note:As an Indian student, choosing the Student Direct Stream to acquire your student visa for Canada is a perfect choice. However, you will need to present valid proof of your citizenship to any one of the above-mentioned countries.

Our Study Abroad Experts of SDS Canada have assisted several of our students who have been admitted to top universities overseas. These students have been offered admission to prestigious Canadian universities.

Eligibility Criteria to Apply for Study Permit Under the SDS in Canada

A new programme, called Student Direct Stream (SDS), has been launched by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to reduce processing times for students. A newly launched student visa programme means Indian students applying to Canadian universities will be able to process their visas more quickly.

Candidates must fulfil certain criteria as part of the Canada SDS application process, just as they must for a Canada student permit. India, the Philippines, Morocco, Pakistan, China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Senegal are some of the only countries whose citizens are eligible to apply. Applicants for Canadian study permitsunder the study direct stream must have resided in these countries at the time of their application.

• A letter of acceptance from any of the participating educational institutions in Canada is required.

• A student applying for a study permit under the Canada SDS programme must reside outside of Canada at the time of application.

• To complete their first year of study, students must submit proof of paying their respective universities' tuition fees.

• Students must own a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAD 10,000.

• To study in Quebec, the candidates will have to have a Certificat d'acceptation du Qubec (CAQ) from the Ministry of Immigration, Francesation and Integration.

• Medical exams must be conducted before they can apply.

• Transcripts from the student's most recent secondary or postsecondary school must be submitted.

• Police certificates are required to apply for a study permit under Canada's SDS programme.

• The results of their language test must show:

  • If you have already taken the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or you have a score of 6.0 bands or higher in each skill (reading, writing, speaking, and listening), you may apply for the SDS.

  • If the Test d'valuation de franais (TEF) score matches the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of at least 7 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, the student is eligible for the Test d'valuation de franais (TEF).

Note: Student permits are not visas and should not be confused with student visas. Students have the option of availing of either a Canada student visa or a Canadian Electronic Travel Authorization, depending on the category under which their home country falls.

GIC Account for SDS Programme in Canada

Those who have chosen to apply for their student visa via the SDS programme launched by the Canadian government need to present valid documentation pertaining to a GIC or Guaranteed Investment Certificate along with the application form.

What is a GIC?

According to official sources, a GIC, i.e., Guaranteed Investment Certificate is a Canadian investment that brings in a guaranteed rate of return over a period of time. According to Investopedia, a GIC is often purchased as retirement plans as they offer a fixed rate of return at low risk and are usually insured by the Canadian government to a certain extent.

Why do I Need a GIC?

If you are applying for your Canadian student visa via the Student Direct Stream, then you will be required to present this document. However, the role a GIC plays in confirming your eligibility for a Canadian student visa is two-fold, according to HDFC Credila:

• A GIC serves as proof of financial sustenance to the Canadian government, confirming that you possess the necessary funds to cover your student living expenses in Canada for one year; and

• Submitting a GIC of CAD 10,000 from an approved bank act as proof of sufficient funds for your student visa application, thus allowing you to acquire the appropriate student as quickly as possible.

Note: You will be required to acquire a GIC from one of the few recognised and approved banks in Canada, subsequently, allowing you to receive your student visa via the SDS programme in Canada.

Approved Financial Institutions for GIC

As stated above, if you are applying for your student visa in Canada via the student direct stream, you will be required to submit a GIC received from one of the approved banks in Canada.

• SBI Canada Bank

• ICICI Bank

• HSBC Bank of Canada

• Scotiabank

• RBC Royal Bank

Note: There are several other banking institutions that have been approved to offer candidates a GIC. However, the banks that have been mentioned can be accessed easily by aspiring Indian students who wish to apply for their Canadian student visa via the Student Direct Stream.

SDS Canada: Application Process for GIC

The application process to attain a valid and authorised GIC for your SDS application in Canada will vary between different banking institutions. However, here is a general application process to get a GIC for your SDS application in Canada:

• Visit the official website of one of the approved banking institutions approved to provide you with a GIC.

• You will most likely be asked to complete the GIC application process online, wherein, after you have created an account with the bank, you will be sent a GIC application form.

• After registering for secure email services with the Canadian banks and receiving your student GIC programme application, you can submit the same via online or offline modes.

  • Online Mode: Fill out the application form and submit the same with a scanned copy of the admission enrolment letter you received along with your passport through your secure email account.

  • Offline Mode: Download the student GIC programme application form, take a printout of the same and fill it out and attest the same with your signature. You can then submit the form to the designated bank in India along with the admission offer letter from a Canadian college as well as your passport.

• Once the form has been submitted, you will receive an Investment Account Number and funding details on the secure email address, wherein, you are required to deposit the Canada Student GIC Programme with CAD 10,000 with an additional CAD 150 as a processing fee.

  • It should be noted that the amount transferred should be done from the students account or a joint account held by the student in India.

• Once the amount had been transferred into the GIC account, students will receive an Investment Balance Confirmation in your investment account.

• On receiving the Investment Balance Confirmation, you are advised to apply for the appropriate Canadian student visa and submit the study permit application along with the Investment Balance Confirmation, which will allow the student visa processing to be quick and convenient.

• After arriving in Canada, you will be required to visit any of the approved bank branches and complete the rest of the documentation formalities. In other words, open up a bank account with the respective banks and issue a GIC.

Once the account has been opened in Canada, CAD 2,000 will be transferred into your account while the rest of the CAD 8,000 will be transferred to you on a monthly basis for 1 year. Students are advised to bring documents such as the Investment Balance Confirmation, their Passport, Study Permit as well as their letter of admission to a Canadian university.

Note:In case your student visa gets cancelled or declined, you will be able to get your CAD 10,000 investment back, however, the same will only be refunded to the account from which the amount had initially been transferred.

Moreover, documents such as your declined/cancelled study permit, proof of withdrawal from the respective Canadian institution or a declined admission application from a Canadian higher education institution must be submitted to receive a refund.

SDS Visa Processing andRequirements for Indian Students

According to the Canadian government, some changes have been made to SDS requirements and the application process. Here are the requirements and application process for Indian students for SDS visas:

• A minimum score of 6 in each module of IELTS is necessary for UG and PG courses.

• In the first year, one must pay the entire tuition fee in advance.

• It is required that the institution and college have a Designated Learning Institution number (DLI).

• The purchase of a GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) needs to be made with a minimum of CAD 10,000.

Documents Required for SDS Visa Application

The following documents need to be attached to your application:

1. An acceptance letter from an educational institution you have been accepted to.

2. A copy of your confirmation document for your upfront medical exam.

3. Evidence that you own a GIC of CAD 10,000.

4. A receipt that proves you have paid the tuition fees for your first year of study.

5. Provide proof such as a transcript showing that you graduated from a Canadian curriculum high school or a test score confirmation showing that you passed the English test (IELTS).

How Much Does it Cost to Apply through SDS Canada?

SDS Canada requires international students to prove they have paid their tuition in full for the first academic year.

The following could be the result:

• An invoice or receipt from the DLI.

• Bank receipts showing payment of tuition fees to the DLI.

• DLI's official confirmation of tuition fee payment.

• GICs are guaranteed investment certificates.

How to Apply for SDS Canada?

SDS only accepts online applications for study permits. For the Student Direct Stream, no paper applications are accepted.The process is summarized as follows:

Step 1: Prepare your application, submit the required documents, and pay the biometric fee.

Step 2: As part of the application processing, you will usually be required to provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photograph). A biometrics request letter will be sent to you after you have paid the biometrics fee and submitted your application. In-personsubmissions must be submitted within 30 days. Until this information is provided, your application cannot be processed.

Step 3: Following the biometric submission, you might also be required to submit a medical examination or a police clearance.

Step 4: Once you provide your biometric data, your application will be processed (if you meet eligibility requirements, usually within 20 days). SDS applications that don't meet eligibility criteria are processed as regular study permits, at which point faster processing isn't available to you.

Step 5: After your application has been approved, you will receive:

• Introduction letter (No, this isn't your study permit). When you arrive in Canada, you should show this letter to the officer at the immigration booth to get your study permit.

• A temporary resident visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) is required for entry into Canada.

Many of our students have got admission through the SDS Canada to top universities and have sought the assistance of our Study Abroad Experts. Several of our students have received admissions to their desired Canadian universities.

List of SDS Designated Learning Institutions (DLI)

International students may attend any college or university that is designated as a learning institution by the province or territory. The student must obtain a Study Permit before enrolling in undergraduate or graduate courses. Students must obtain an acceptance letter from a designated learning institution before they can obtain a Study Permit. A unique number is allotted to each designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada.

Alberta

International students find it one of the most attractive locations due to the excellent employment and immigration opportunities it offers. Students in Alberta can take post-secondary courses at colleges and universities.

British Columbia

A certain number of schools is only approved by British Columbia under its 'Education Quality Assessment'. International students who are interested in studying here can take advantage of the Education Quality Assessment since they haven't visited the school yet, and it gives them consumer protection.

Ontario

In Canada, international students are mainly based in Ontario. Ontario is the province in which Toronto is the largest city, so there are many jobs for young graduates there. The employment rate in Ontario is also the highest in Canada (92%). The DLI number of a college in Ontario province can be found below for students planning to pursue higher education in Canada.

Quebec

You can find a list of SDS colleges in Quebec along with their DLI number here if you're planning to pursue higher education there. Located in Quebec, Montreal is one of the largest cities with a high student population per capita. Quebec offers internationally recognized undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Are there any other questions you'd like to ask about the SDS? Contact us at abroad@collegedekho.com and we will assist you in getting them cleared as soon as possible. In our years of experience, our team of experts have counselled numerous students about choosing the right career path for higher education abroad.