Student Direct Stream
Get your study permit faster through the Student Direct Stream (SDS)
If you’re a legal resident in certain countries, and/or depending of where you live you may be able to get your study permit faster by applying through the SDS which is processed within 20 calendar days. To benefit from this, you must
- Give biometrics as soon as possible, and
- Meet all eligibility requirements
Keep in mind a study permit is not a visa by itself and does not by itself allow you to travel to or enter Canada. You may also need a visitor visa or an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). If you do, the visa officer will issue your visitor visa or eTA with the study permit.
To be eligible to get faster processing through the SDS, an applicant must:
- be a legal resident living in one of the following countries:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Brazil
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- India
- Morocco
- Pakistan
- Peru
- Philippines
- Senegal
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Vietnam
- have an acceptance letter from a post-secondary Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- live outside of Canada when you apply
- have proof you have paid your tuition for your first year of study
- have a guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAD$10,000
- have a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (this only applies if you’re planning to study in Quebec)
- get a medical exam before you apply (if you need one)
- get a police certificate before you apply (if you need one)
- have your most recent secondary or post-secondary school transcript(s)
- have a language test result that shows either:
- an international English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic or general training soccer of 6.0 or higher in each skill (reading, writing, speaking, and listening), or
- a test d’evaluation de francais (TEF) score that is equal to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of at least 7 in each skill (reading, writing, speaking, and listening)
Note – additional documents may be required depending on location of an applicant.
Who isn’t eligible for the Student Direct Stream (SDS)
If you live anywhere other than one of the countries listed above (even if you are a citizen of one of the countries above), you must apply through the regular study permit application process.
If you live in another country (even if you’re a citizen of one of the countries above), or if you do not meet the eligibility for faster processing, you may still be eligible for a study permit through the regular study permit application process.
You could bring your spouse or partner and children with you to Canada under this stream as they may be able to get faster processing of a visitor visa, work permit, or study permit.
Talk to us today to see how we can help you make this a possibility for you.