Student Direct Stream Canada, Requirements, Loan and IELTS Score

 Student Direct Stream (SDS) is a faster study permit processing program in Canada. Students who apply through SDS will have a simple and faster process to study at a post-secondary designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. The purpose of the Student Direct Stream is to expedite visa processing and simplify the application process for qualified students, in order to create a faster and predictable experience for permit approval. The countries under this fast-track program include India, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brazil, Colombia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, France, Italy, South Korea, Iran, and Algeria. Students who apply for the Student Direct Stream are almost guaranteed a study permit approval within 20 days. The program requires applicants to submit biometrics and provide additional documentation to demonstrate their ties to their home country. Upon approval, students are issued a Port of Entry letter, which they can use to travel to Canada and begin their studies.

Student Direct Stream Canada

The SDS Canada process is an easy student visa process with guaranteed processing time, the definition of success, clear documentation requirements, etc. The Student Direct Stream Canada helps qualified students show real educational purposes and financial capability.

The students applying through SDS have to meet the eligibility criteria such as required IELTS band score, GIC proof, educational loan documents, etc. All these help to show financial stability and language ability for a good educational experience.

SDS Vs Regular Study Permit Canada

The Student Direct Stream (SDS) was a fast-track study permit application process for international students, which offered faster processing (typically 20 calendar days) and had specific document requirements (including GIC and language proficiency) for applicants from certain countries. The regular study permit process, on the other hand, has longer processing times, different and generally less specific document requirements, and is available to all international applicants. As of November 8, 2024, the SDS program has been discontinued, and all applicants follow the regular permit process.

SDS Canada Requirements for Indian Students

For Indian students, the Student Direct Stream (SDS) had specific requirements to fast-track their Canadian study permit applications Here are the Student Direct Stream (SDS) Canada requirements for Indian students in points:

• Student must have an acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada.

• Provide proof of full payment of tuition fees for the first year of study.

• Buy a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) worth CAD 20,635 from a participating Canadian bank.

• Meet minimum language requirements with IELTS scores of 6.0 or better in each band. (Accepted English or French tests) 

• Complete a medical exam before you apply (if necessary).

• Provide a police certificate (if necessary). 

• Submit the application to a Visa Application Centre (VAC).

• Meet the general eligibility requirements to get a Canadian study permit.

• Student must be a legal resident of India.

• Planning to study outside Canada, and must be outside of Canada when applying.

• Provide recent secondary or post-secondary transcripts. 

• Required forms (i.e. Study Permit Application IMM1294; Family Information form IMM 5645, etc. ).

SDS GIC Requirement

GIC is a mandatory requirement for Indian students applying through the Student Direct Stream to study in Canada. It is used as a proof of funds to show that you have enough money to support yourself for your first year in Canada. The Indian student must purchase GIC from the participating Canadian financial institutions prior to applying for the study permit.

• Guaranteed Investment Certificate Requirements for SDS Canada 

• • Minimum GIC amount: CAD 20,635 if the application is submitted on or after January 1, 2024.

  • Minimum GIC amount: CAD 10,000 if the application is submitted before January 1, 2024.

  • Available with the following Canadian financial institutions: Scotiabank, SBI Canada, CIBC, ICICI Bank Canada, etc.

• Deposits are made to the account and released to the student in installments on arrival in Canada for living expenses.

• GIC will be refunded if the visa is refused, as per the bank rules.

• Proof of funds is also required for any family members that are accompanying you, however this does not need to be in the form of a GIC.

• Indian students must purchase a GIC before applying for the SDS study permit application to provide financial proof to IRCC.

IELTS Score for SDS Canada   

Canada Student Direct Stream (SDS) For Canada Student Direct Stream (SDS), Indian students needed to prove English language proficiency to qualify. IELTS Test: 

• Indian students for SDS had to show they had the English language skills to succeed in a Canadian school. 

• To be eligible for SDS, students had to have a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.0 with no score less than 6.0 for each of the four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking).

Education Loan for SDS Canada

 Student Direct Stream (SDS) was a fast-track program for the Study permit in Canada. It helped the students get their visa processed faster. The Students applying through the SDS had to fulfill some strict eligibility criteria. These students had to show proof of payment of tuition fee and language proficiency test along with a GIC of CAD 20,635 for living expenses. This was a prerequisite before applying for the SDS. As of now, the SDS program has been canceled since November 2024, but let’s still understand the eligibility and benefits of the SDS as it may be helpful for the future.

• A letter of acceptance from the DLI (Designated Learning Institution) in Canada.

• Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAD 20,635 as a proof of living expenses.

• A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 in each band of the language i.e. listening, reading, writing, and speaking. 

• Proof of the payment of first-year tuition fees.

• A medical exam and police certificate as proof (if asked).

• Application submission at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) authorized by the Canadian government.