The Canadian Student Direct Stream(SDS) is making it easier for international students from African and Asian partner countries to migrate into the country.
If you didn’t know, SDS Canada is a venture by the Canadian government to fast-track the processing of study visas for students tending to study in the country. However, this opportunity is only accessible to a few international students from certain countries.
Suppose you are from any of the countries listed below. In that case, you’re in luck, as you are eligible to apply for SDS Canada: Antigua and Barbuda, China, Brazil, Costa Rica, Morocco, Pakistan, Senegal, Peru, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Philippines, Trinidad and Tobago, India, Vietnam, Columbia.
The other requirements include:
- Acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution in Canada
- A medical exam confirmation document
- A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAD10,000
- Proof of tuition payment for the first year of study
- Proof of graduation from a Canadian curriculum high school
- An IELTS test score of at least 6 in each category or a Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens score of at least 7 for French (for international students coming from French-speaking countries)
Application Fee & Guidelines
The application can be made online, as scanners or cameras would be used to submit electronic copies of documents. A fee of CAD150 is required as a processing fee for an SDS visa, and the processing time takes about 20 days.
International students with an SDS visa are permitted to have part-time jobs while schooling and may bring family members along with them (although their visa application would be processed differently)
Please note that an SDS work permit is not the same as a visitor visa, and successful applicants would be required to apply for a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization(eTA) to enter Canada.