Canada is a top choice for international students due to its exceptional education quality, work opportunities during studies, and smooth transition to permanent residency.
Due to its exceptional education standards, ample work opportunities for international students, and smoother path to permanent residency, Canada has emerged as a top choice for students seeking to study abroad.
To be eligible for applying for a study permit, a potential student must follow these steps:
- Secure a letter of from a designated learning institution.
- Demonstrate that you have enough financial resources to cover your first year’s tuition, living expenses, and return transportation to your home country.
- Obtain a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) if you plan to study in Montreal or elsewhere in Quebec.
- Have a clean record. If you have a criminal background or pose a security risk to Canada, you may be denied entry. The IRCC may ask you to provide a police clearance certificate.
- Be in good health. The IRCC may require you to undergo a medical examination.
- Convince the immigration officer that you will leave Canada when your study permit expires.
It is advisable to initiate the process of applying for a study permit promptly upon receiving your acceptance letter from an educational institution, as the processing duration for student permits can fluctuate.
Student Direct Stream
The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is a specialized initiative aimed at expediting and streamlining the Canadian study permit application process for select international students. Specifically, the SDS is exclusively available to individuals hailing from 14 designated countries.
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Brazil
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- India
- Morocco
- Pakistan
- Peru
- Philippines
- Senegal
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Vietnam
If you reside in above regions, you have the option to obtain your study at a quicker pace through the Student Direct Stream (SDS). Our aim is to handle the majority of SDS applications within 20 days on the calendar, although there may be some exceptions that require more time.
A study permit is not a visa and does not, by itself, allow you to travel to or enter Canada.
The SDS program aims to process eligible applications within 20 days. Prospective student applicants who wish to apply for a Canadian study permit through the SDS program must:
To apply for the Study Direct Stream (SDS) program in Canada, the following documents must be provided:
- A letter of acceptance from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution.
- A confirmation document for the applicant’s upfront medical exam.
- Proof of obtaining a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of $10,000.
- Proof of payment for the first year’s tuition fees.
- Evidence of language test results completed within two years of the SDS application being received, demonstrating an IELTS score of 6 in English or CLB/NCLC 7 for French.
- The application must be submitted at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
Apply for a study permit through the Student Direct Stream
To expedite the processing of your study permit, it is imperative that you submit your application online. The Student Direct Stream does not accept paper applications. It is crucial that you ensure all necessary documents are included with your application.
Ensure that you possess the following items before submitting your application online:
- A guide that provides instructions on how to complete your forms
- A scanner or camera to generate electronic copies of your documents
- A valid credit or debit card to facilitate payment.
Pay your biometric fee
Typically, biometrics are required and the corresponding fee should be paid upon online application submission. Failure to pay this fee may result in a delay in processing your application.
In case you require assistance with submitting your biometric information or sending your passport, you may visit the nearest visa application center.
After completing the payment of your fees, which includes the biometrics fee, and submitting your application, we will send you a letter requesting you to provide your biometrics, if necessary. The letter will contain instructions on how and where to do this. It is essential to carry this letter and a valid passport when giving your biometrics. You have a maximum of 30 days to provide your biometrics in person.
In the event that the biometrics fee has not been paid, a letter will be dispatched requesting that it be paid prior to receiving the instruction letter. The instruction letter can only be obtained upon payment of the biometrics fee.
Upon receipt of your biometrics, we can proceed with the processing of your study permit application. If you meet the eligibility criteria, we typically process most Student Direct Stream applications within 20 calendar days.
However, if your application does not meet the eligibility requirements for the Student Direct Stream, we will evaluate it as a regular study permit application. In such cases, you will not receive expedited processing.
To determine the processing time for a regular study permit application, please refer to the relevant information.
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