Your guide to Study Direct Stream (SDS)
Through the SDS scheme, Indian students will get their visas quicker.
Indian students applying to Canadian universities and colleges can now expect quicker visa processing through the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada-launched Research Direct Stream (SDS) programme. SDS allows students from India to use their visa within 4-6 weeks, unlike the normal visa processing that can take up to 2-3 months. Most applications are processed within 20 calendar days when a student who meets the eligibility requirements applies through SDS
Canada introduced an SDS to make student visas more feasible from INDIA. Students need to improve their language of English/ French. Students are advised to submit their necessary funds which help them in their studies. Students have to clear many enquiries about the SDS programme.
SDS has to comply with more strict rules and regulations as a substitute for the old SPP scheme. For those who meet the requirements, however, it can be highly advantageous as it offers simple visa processing for SDS entitled DLI institutions and requires less financial documentation.
You need to understand a bit about the Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) and the Guaranteed Investment Certificate before we move forward (GIC).
What is a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)?
A university, school or college licensed to host foreign students by a provincial or territorial government is a designated learning institution or DLI. All of Canada’s public schools, colleges, and big private universities and colleges are DLI. Therefore, if you are applying for a research permit, you must have a letter of approval from the DLI.
You should know that only a DLI can recruit international students; a non-DLI is not allowed to admit international students.
Note: DLI does not authorise automatic post-study work permit eligibility.
Find out if your organisation is on the list for the DLI
What is a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)?
A GIC is a Canadian investment for a fixed period of time that has a guaranteed rate of return.
In simple words, you will be required to open a Canadian bank account online with any one of the designated banks as an Indian student wanting to study in Canada. The bank keeps your GIC in a student account or an investment account once your account is created, which you will be able to access only when you arrive in Canada. It releases your funds only when you arrive in the country upon confirmation of your identity. Although you can take an initial lump sum on arrival, the remainder is distributed. Although you can take an initial lump sum on arrival, the balance is spread over a period of 10-12 months on a monthly or bi-monthly basis.
Note, the bank you are purchasing your GIC from must provide you with any of the following:
- A GIC certificate
- A letter of attestation
- An Investment Balance confirmation
- An Investment Directions confirmation
Each GIC is checked by the IRCC (immigration, refugees and citizenship Canada), removing the risk of fraud associated with any kind of financial document. Under SDS, no other financial statement is needed to prove to IRCC that the student has enough funds to pay their tuition fees and living expenses.
Banks that offer GIC in India
| • ICICI
• Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) • SBI Canada • Scotiabank • HSBC Bank of Canada |
What are the eligibility criteria for SDS?
You will have to satisfy certain requirements in order to be eligible to apply for a study permit through SDS, such as:
- Acceptance from a post-secondary designated institution of learning (DLI)
- Tuition fee charged for the first year of your studies
- Guaranteed Certificate of Investment (GIC) of CAD10.000
- Minimum score of 6 in IELTS with no band less than 6 or a TEF score equal to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of at least 7 in each ability test (Test d’évaluation de français) (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
You’ll have to apply the following documents if you meet the criteria:
- Letter of receipt from the DLI
- Evidence of payment of your first year of study tuition fee
- Evidence of payment of the Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) (certificate/attestation letter)
- TRF or TEF scorecard from IELTS
- Copy of your medical examination from the Doctors’ Approved Panel
- Academic history of interest with full academic documents
- Additional CAQ requirement for learners preparing to study in Quebec
| All of the SDS applications are submitted online. |
Hope this has helped you realize what SDS is all about. If not, IRCC offers rich resources here If you have any questions, please feel free to chat with your IDP counselor.
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