The Student Direct Stream replaced the Student Partners Program in 2018.  The aim of the Student Direct Stream is to increase the economic, social and cultural benefits that international students bring to the country by fast-tracking study permits.  The IRCC ensures priority processing for applications received through SDS and completes the process within 20 days of submission provided all requirements are met. All applications are submitted online only.  All paper applications are processed under the regular study permit application stream.  Processing of applications submitted in the regular stream can take 2-3 months.

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WHO CAN APPLY FOR SDS?

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Currently, 14 countries are participating in the SDS Program.  An international student who is a legal resident of any of these 14 countries can apply for a Canada Study Permit.  India is one of the countries that is participating in the SDS Program.

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REQUIREMENTS OF SDS PROGRAM?

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• An acceptance letter from a post-secondary institute (DLI)

• Proof that you have paid the first-year tuition fees.  This can be a receipt or a letter from the DLI confirming payment or proof that the tuition fees have been transferred in advance into the account of the DLI to be adjusted at a later date.

• A Guaranteed Investment Certificate of CAD$10,000. GIC is a Canadian investment that has a guaranteed rate of return for a fixed period of time.  The GIC serves as a proof of funds to cover living expenses for the first year of study.  This certificate should be from an approved bank. ICICI and SBI are the only Indian banks that are approved to issue the GIC while Scotiabank, CIBC and HSBC are the other approved banks. These funds cannot be released till the student arrives in Canada and starts the program.  The funds are disbursed over a period of 10-12 months.

• Have a Certificat d'Acceptation du Quebec (CAQ) if you are planning to study in Quebec

• Proof of medical examination from a panel physician.  Some countries are exempt from this requirement.  If you are living in India, it is required to get a medical examination. 

• Get a police certicate before you apply.  It will be informed to you if a Police Certificate is required.

• Have the most recent secondary or post secondary transcripts

• Have a valid English or French  Language Proficiency test score.  The test result should not be more than 2 years old.  The IELTS score should be more than 6.0 in each skill section.  For the French test, the TEF score should be at least 7.0 in each skill section.

       

     Under new rules announced recently by IRCC, with effect from August 2023, IRCC will also accept test scores from TOEFL, PTE and CAEL.  

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                CAEL                   60

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                TOEFL                 83

  

                PTE                     60

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In addition to the above requirements, the following documents need to be attached to the online application:

• Application for Study Permit Made Outside Canada Form

• Family Information Form

• Schedule 1- Application for Temporary Resident Visa Form

• Marriage License or Certificate (if applicable)

• Use of a Representative Form

• CAQ for students applying in Quebec

• Application Processing Fee payment and biometric processing fee.  If you have applied earlier for a visitor visa, you will not need to submit again.  Fees for Biometrics is CAD$85 per person.  Study Permit fee is CAD$150.  The fee has to be paid online.

• Proof of Identity

• Passport photocopy of biographical data page

• Any additional documents specified by the Visa Office.

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