Student Direct Stream (SDS)

Studying in Canada has become an even more attractive proposition for residents of key Asian partner countries, thanks to the new Student Direct Stream (SDS).

Under the SDS, students from the Philippines, China, India, Vietnam who demonstrate upfront that they have the financial resources and language skills to succeed academically in Canada benefit from faster processing times. As of April 30, 2019, the service standard for SDS processing is 20 calendar days.

Similar programs have previously been in place in these countries. Now, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is aligning them together into one program to ensure consistency.

Moreover, IRCC is already working on expanding the SDS to Africa, with expansion options in Kenya and Senegal. Expansion to Senegal would be in line with Canada’s goal to attract more French-speaking students to Canada.

To qualify for the Student Direct Stream, applicants need to meet additional requirements, in particular language levels that are stricter than regular study permit requirements.

Students who do not have all of the additional information may still apply through the regular study permit application process, either online or at a Visa Application Centre. Applications that meet the regular study permit criteria but not the Student Direct Stream criteria may be processed according to the regular study permit criteria, but do receive the faster processing that is available under the Student Direct Stream.

“IRCC recognizes the tremendous economic, cultural and social benefits that international students bring to Canada. We are committed to improving client service for all applicants, including students, as we continue to find new and efficient ways to reduce processing times,” stated Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Ahmed Hussen, in announcing the Student Direct Stream.

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Eligibility

You can apply if you’re a legal resident in:

• China,
• India,
• the Philippines, or
• Vietnam

If you live in another country (even if you’re a citizen of one of the countries above), you have to apply through the regular study permit application process.

You must include the following documents with your application:

• a copy of your acceptance letter from a designated learning institution,
• a copy of your upfront medical exam confirmation document,
• proof that you have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of $10,000,
• proof that you’ve paid the tuition fees for your first year of study, and
• proof that you graduated from a Canadian curriculum high school or a language test form showing a score of at least 6 for English (International English Language Testing System), or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens score of at least 7 for French (Test d’évaluation de français)

Transition to permanent residence

Entering 2019, there were more than 500,000 international students in Canada, representing a huge increase since just a few years previously. The figure is particularly significant in that it surpasses Canada’s International Education Strategy goal of 450,000 international students in Canada by 2022, years ahead of schedule.

Students from India and China together make up more than half of Canada’s international student cohort. More than 100,000 Indian students arrived in 2018 alone.

One major reason why Canada is attracting record numbers of international students is the opportunity for students to remain in the country upon graduation. International students in Canada can work both during and immediately after their studies, and may plot a path towards permanent residence from the get-go, mainly thanks to the advantages of the Express Entry immigration selection system.

Under Express Entry, graduates of Canadian institutions may obtain bonus points for the studies – more than candidates who studied outside Canada. A recent IRCC Express Entry report shows that nearly one-third of all invitations to apply for permanent residence issued in 2017 went to graduates of colleges and universities in Canada.

International students and graduates in Canada may also review their immigration options under the Provincial Nominee Programs, as many PNP streams aim to help students and graduates set down permanent roots in Canada.

• If you need help securing a study permit for Canada or pursuing permanent residence, you can book an immigration consultation a regulated Canadian immigration consultant.