All You Need to Know About the Student Direct Stream
International students who want to come to Canada first need to receive a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Canadian designated learning institution (DLI). Once they receive an LOA, they need to submit a study permit application. This application usually takes several months, if they are applying from outside of Canada. However, with the Student Direct Stream (SDS) students may be able to get their study permit faster.
The Student Direct Stream offers expedited study permit processing to some international students looking to study at a Canadian-designated learning institution (DLI). The SDS is available to legal residents who reside in:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Brazil
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- India
- Morocco
- Pakistan
- Peru
- Philippines
- Senegal
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Vietnam
Of course, students need to meet some requirements. Let’s see if you can apply for this stream.
Requirements for the Student Direct Stream in 2023
To be eligible for faster processing through the Student Direct Stream, international students must be a legal resident living in 1 of the countries mentioned above, and must include the following documents:
- Proof of a valid language test result, completed within 2 years of the date the SDS application was received. The test must show an IELTS score of 6.0 or higher in each language skill, or a TEF score that is equivalent to a CLB score of at least 7 for each ability.
- Proof of a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAN$10,000 or more from any bank insured by the Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) or any bank listed on the IRCC SDS web page.
- Proof of full payment of tuition for the applicant’s first year of study. For example, a receipt from the DLI, or a receipt from a bank showing that tuition fees have been paid to the DLI.
- Letter of acceptance from a post-secondary DLI.
- Most recent secondary or post-secondary educational transcript.
- Proof of completion of upfront medical examination from a panel physician for applicants.
Of course, depending on where you’re applying from, you may also need to submit other documents.
Family members of applicants
According to IRCC, family members of principal applicants who are applying under the SDS are eligible to get faster processing on a Temporary residence application. This includes:
If you want to bring your family, you must complete and submit their applications at the same time as your own. Otherwise, IRCC won’t process their applications faster. Consequently, when you apply online, indicate that you have family members coming with you to Canada. This lets you complete their applications with yours.
Let us help!
You may either consult with the IRCC website or fill out the following form to help you with the process. Keep in mind that, the Student Direct Stream, does not guarantee success but is a faster method to receive the outcome of your application. You may alternatively fill out our assessment form.
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