Updates Student Direct Stream

Today we are going to talk about Student Direct Stream

The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is an expedited study permit processing program for certain legal residents living in one of the eligible countries who are applying to study in Canada at a post-secondary designated learning institution (DLI).

On July 9, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada expanded this program for international students to seven new countries. 

The countries that were included are Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Antigua and Barbuda, Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Also, the following countries qualify to apply via the Student Direct Stream: China, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Philippines, Senegal and Vietnam.

SDS benefits applicants with expedited processing of their applications to study in Canada. Through this stream, your application can be processed as fast as 20 calendar days from submission.

To ensure this processing time can be met, make sure to:

• Give your biometrics as soon as possible

• meet all the eligibility requirements

Besides being a resident of one of the countries eligible to apply for the SDS stream, Students must demonstrate upfront that they have the financial resources and language skills to succeed academically in Canada.

In order to qualify for the Student Direct Stream, applicants need to meet the following requirements:

• Have a Letter of Acceptance from a Canadian designated learning institution;

• Live outside of Canada when you apply;

• Proof of full payment of tuition for the candidate’s first year;

• Proof of a Guaranteed Investment Certificate of at least $10,000 CAD: This needs to be from an eligible Canadian financial institution;

• Language Test: They must have obtained a score of at least 6.0 on the IELTS (either IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training) on each skill: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. Francophone candidates need to obtain a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) equivalent of 7 in each skill on the Test d’Evaluation de Français

• Most recent educational transcript from your last educational institution.

• Proof of upfront medical exam: This requirement is for applicants who have lived or travelled for 6 months in designated countries or territories and/or their field of study requires an upfront medical exam

• Proof of Police Certificate: Your visa office instructions will tell you if you need to get a police certificate, based on the country where you live (if Brazil you do not need one); 

• If you are applying to study in Quebec - Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ);

Important note: Depending on where you’re applying from, you may also need to provide other documents.

Applications that meet the regular study permit criteria but not the Student Direct Stream criteria will be processed according to the regular study permit application processing, and will not receive the faster processing that is available under the Student Direct Stream (SDS Canada).

Among additions to the SDS: Brazil, Colombia, and Peru are likely to have the most significant impact on international student enrollment in Canada. Canada’s population of Brazilian students has increased nearly ten times over the last two decades while the Colombian student population has nearly quadrupled. Peru’s student population has increased five times since 2000. IRCC notes that nearly 16,000 study permits were issued to residents of one of these seven new SDS countries in 2019, of which about 10,000 went to those in Brazil and some 4,400 to students from Colombia.

“The IRCC recognizes the enormous economic, cultural and social benefits that international students bring to Canada. The country is committed to improving customer service for all applicants, including students, as they continue to find new and efficient ways to reduce processing times."

If you are eligible for the SDS, contact us! The e-Visa Group is specialized in all steps you will need to be successful in your plan. Visa, immigration, education, career and financial planning!

See you next time!