International students who are living in the Philippines may secure their Canada study permit faster through the Student Direct Stream (SDS). Launched in 2018 by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the SDS is an expedited study permit application stream for international students who will pursue higher education in Canada.
What is the main benefit of Student Direct Stream?
The main benefit of SDS for applicants is that it offers more efficient study permit processing times. According to the IRCC, the processing of study permits under the SDS will usually take 20 calendar days. However, certain applications may take longer.
*Due to pandemic, processing time might vary from normal processing time
To speed up the processing:
- Give your biometrics as soon as possible
- Meet all the eligibility requirements
Who is eligible for the Student Direct Stream application?
In addition to the Philippines, international students living in any one of the following countries may also avail of the SDS: Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Senegal, Saint Vincent, and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam.
To be eligible for student direct stream application, the international student must have secured the following:
- Acceptance letter from a post-secondary designated learning institution
- Proof of tuition fee payment for the first year of study
- Proof of Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAD 10,000 from an authorized financial institution. A GIC is a Canadian investment that has a guaranteed rate of return for a fixed period of time. The bank must meet the following for SDS eligibility:
- Provide a confirmation that you bought a GIC by providing a letter of attestation, GIC certificate, Investment Directions Confirmation, or Investment Balance Confirmation
- Hold the GIC in an investment account or a student account that you can’t access until you arrive in Canada
- Make sure you confirm your identity before they release any funds to you
- Release the funds to you by providing: (a) an initial lump sum once you identify yourself upon arrival in Canada; and (b) The remainder of the funds in monthly or bi-monthly installments over 10–12 months
- Proof of valid language test result showing either of the following:
- An International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.0 or higher in each language skill: listening, reading, writing, and speaking
- A Test d’Evaluation de Français (TEF) score that is equivalent to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of at least 7 for each ability: at least 310 for speaking, 249 for listening, 207 for reading, and 310 for writing
- Proof of completion of upfront medical examination
- Police clearance
- Most recent secondary or post-secondary transcript of records
- Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (Applicable only if you will study in Quebec)
Spouse or common-law partner and dependent children may also benefit from faster processing on either a visitor visa, work permit, or study permit. Their application must be completed and submitted together with the international student’s SDS application.
* Please note that a study permit is not a visa, and therefore, does not allow an individual to travel or enter Canada. The international student and accompanying family member, if any, may also need a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA).
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What’s the difference between a Student Direct Stream and a Regular Study Permit?
The SDS is an expedited study permit stream and does not replace a regular study permit. For students who do not qualify under the student direct stream, your application can be processed under a regular-stream.
Student Direct Stream (SDS) vs Regular Study Permit
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