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Updated on May 10, 2024
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Studying in Canada has become an even more attractive proposition for residents of key partner countries, thanks to the Student Direct Stream.
Student Direct Stream applications are typically processed in less than one month.
Under Canada’s Student Direct Stream, international students residing in the Philippines, China, India, Vietnam, Pakistan, Morocco, Senegal Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago benefit from expedited processing of their applications to study in Canada.
Students from these countries who demonstrate upfront that they have the financial resources and language skills to succeed academically in Canada benefit from faster processing times. The service standard for Canada’s Student Direct Stream processing is 20 calendar days.
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. In addition, a core component for acceptance through the Student Direct Stream is submitting a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) showing you have an investment account with a balance of CAD $20,635 or higher.
Students who do not have all of the additional information may still apply through the regular study permit application process.聽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 (SDS Canada).
Do you prefer to learn by video? Check out this comprehensive webinar on studying in Canada which we produced in partnership with Doherty Fultz Immigration:
You may apply for Canada’s Study Direct Stream if you鈥檙e a legal resident in:
If you live in another country (even if you鈥檙e a citizen of one of the countries above), you have to apply through the聽regular study permit application process.
You must include the following documents with your SDS study permit application:
A major requirement to apply for your study permit through the Study Direct Stream is submitting a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) showing you have an investment account with a balance of CAD $20,635 or higher. Check out our analysis on which bank is the best option for your GIC.
Your GIC account is an investment. You will get the money back from your GIC once you start your studies in Canada. Usually, students receive an initial payment of $6,190.50 when they first arrive in Canada, then the remaining $14,444.50 is invested and paid out in instalments, with interest.
In addition to faster processing times, applying through the Student Direct stream generally means you are more likely to receive an approval of your study permit. Even with an increased chance of success, applicants still need to make sure they are submitting a strong application to submit their intention of being a student in Canada.
There are some disadvantages so going through the Student Direct Stream though. These include:
The government processing fee is the same as a regular study permit, that is $150 CAD. Applicants will also need to pay the biometrics fee of $85 CAD, if applicable.
In addition to the government processing fees, students need to show proof that they have paid the first year of tuition fees and have a GIC of $20,635 CAD.
Pro tip: check the refund policy of your DLI in the event your SDS study permit is refused.
Since August 10th 2023, IRCC have expanded the list of accepted language test results. The minimum score required depends on the language test sat. SDS applicants can now sit the following language tests:
If eligible, your spouse, common-law partner, or dependent children may also have their visitor, study or work permits processed faster.
As a future student in Canada, your spouse may be eligible to apply for an open work permit if you’re studying a Masters or PhD program or one of the specified professional programs.
Your dependent children can apply for a study permit so they can also study in Canada.
All SDS applicants must apply online via the IRCC online portal. Paper applications for SDS applications are not accepted.
Entering 2024, there were around 1 million international students in Canada, representing a huge increase since just a few years previously. In 2022 alone, over 500,000 international students activated their Canadian study permits. These figures are particularly significant in that they have surpassed Canada鈥檚 International Education Strategy goal of 450,000 international students in Canada by 2023, years ahead of schedule.
Students from India and China together make up more than half of Canada’s international student cohort. More than 320,000 Indian students were in Canada as of December 2022.
One major reason why the SDS stream and Canada more broadly have been so successful in attracting record numbers of international students is the opportunity for many students to remain in the country upon graduation.
International students in Canada, whether they have availed of the study direct stream or not, may be eligible to 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 鈥 more than candidates who studied outside Canada. A recent IRCC Express Entry report shows that 25% of all invitations to apply for permanent residence issued in 2022 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. In fact, international students made up more than 50% of the provincial nominees in Prince Edward Island, Ontario, and Manitoba, and more than 40% of provincial nominees in British Columbia and Nova Scotia based on figures from 2021.
International graduates in Canada are also in a strong position to transition eventually to permanent resident status.
If you need help applying for your Canadian study permit, we recommend booking a consultation with Doherty Fultz Immigration.
Doherty Fultz Immigration is a Canadian immigration consultancy founded聽by聽immigrants to Canada聽for聽immigrants to Canada. Led by Anthony Doherty (R#510956) and Cassandra Fultz (#514356), the聽team’s聽40+ years of experience can聽empower you towards settling in Canada.
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