Canada’s famous “Student Direct Stream” program is now open for the citizens of 7 more countries. Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Antigua and Barbuda, Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Vincent, and the Grenadines are the new entrants in the eligible countries list. This stream provides students to get a study permit in Canada in just 20 days. On the other hand, the students have to fulfill many eligibility requirements in order to get a visa.
With the addition of the Americas, IRCC is now offering the SDS to students in a total of 14 countries from 9th July 2021. IRCC is committed to the continued expansion of the SDS in support of Canada’s International Education Strategy (2019–2024). Canada considers international students as the backbone of its economy because, in 2018 only, international students accounted for more than $22 billion in spending in Canada, representing 17.4% of Canada’s total service exports that year.
Which countries are eligible for the “Student direct stream”?
From now onwards, the following countries are eligible for the SDS:
- Pakistan,
- Indian,
- China,
- the Philippines,
- Vietnam,
- Brazil,
- Colombia,
- Peru,
- Antigua and Barbuda,
- Costa Rica,
- Trinidad and Tobago,
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,
- Senegal,
- Morocco.
What is the major benefit of the “Student direct stream”?
Through this stream, students can have their visa applications online submitted and are processed under 20 calendar days in most cases. The application process is simple and makes it easy to apply from home. The visa success ratio is, of course, improved for eligible countries provided all requirements are met. The program initially started in 2018 allowing the students from India, the Philipines, China, and Vietnam to benefit from the fast-track visa service. Later, Pakistan, Senegal, and Morocco were added to the list back in 2019. Now the addition of 7 more countries makes it possible for more and more students to enjoy the SDS benefits.
Major requirements for “Student direct stream” (SDS)
To apply through “Student direct stream”, you need to fulfill a number of requirements as follows:
- You are applying from outside Canada,
- You belong to an eligible country for this stream,
- You apply online only,
- You have been accepted by a post-secondary (college or university) designated learning institution in Canada,
- You have the minimum required qualification to follow your study program,
- You hold required educational transcripts and certificates,
- You have paid the tuition fees for the first year of your study program in advance,
- You fulfill the language proficiency requirements: 6.0 band score in IELTS in each skill (reading, listening, speaking and writing) or proficiency in the French language at CLB level 7,
- Depending on your country of origin, you may have to provide extra documents such as Police character certificate, medical exam results, and biometrics, etc.
- Proof of upfront medical examfrom the applicants who have lived or travelled for 6 months in designated countries or territories and/or their field of study requires an upfront medical exam,
- You have secured a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAN$10,000.
What is a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)
It’s a Canadian investment provided to you at a fixed rate. This is currently offered by the following banks:
- Bank of Beijing
- Bank of China
- Bank of Montreal
- Bank of Xian Co. Ltd.
- Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
- Habib Canadian Bank
- HSBC Bank of Canada
- ICICI Bank
- Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
- RBC Royal Bank
- SBI Canada Bank
- Scotiabank
As proof while applying for a student visa through “Student direct stream”, you must provide GIC by submitting a letter of attestation, GIC certificate, an Investment Directions confirmation, or an Investment Balance Confirmation from your chosen bank.
You must have a student account or investment account to show this all. This account is not accessible until you reach Canada. Upon your arrival in Canada, a lump sum amount is provided to you after you prove your identity. The rest is done through a bi-monthly installment in the course of 12 months.
How to apply for “Student direct stream”
Having had all the required above-mentioned documents intact, you will have to apply online for this visa. Read here the guidance instructions before applying. Since you apply online, the visa processing and biometrics fees are also paid online (biometric fees could also be paid at the time you provide them physically). You need to upload all your documents for a final result. After applying online, you will be guided where to submit your biometric, and after submitting your application is decided in under 3 weeks.
After your application has been approved
Once your online application has been approved, you are provided with a:
- “letter of introduction” which you must present at the time you enter Canada,
- an eTA (electronic travel authorization) or a visitor visa.
The eTA is electronically linked to your passport for 5 years or till the expiry of your passport. If you are to get a visitor visa to enter Canada, you will be asked to present your passport to the nearest Canadian mission for the visa sticker. You will be able to travel then to Canada on any of these confirmations.
Once you reach a Canadian airport and have had all the necessary documents with a passport, a study permit will be printed and handed over to you.
If your application is turned down, you will be served a brief letter explaining what went wrong in the application. You can then contact your nearest Canadian visa office for further details.
Can you bring your family to Canada?
Yes, the applicants can. You can sponsor your dependent children and spouse to join in Canada through a visit visa, open work permit, or study permit.
Press release from IRCC
IRCC confirmed this news on 9 July with the following additional remarks,
“International students who are currently abroad and looking to begin or resume their studies in person soon will likely continue facing challenges in traveling to Canada, with ongoing reduced flight availability expected in the weeks and months ahead. Students must follow their designated learning institution’s COVID-19 readiness plan, including planning to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival”.
“Students are required to submit quarantine and vaccination details using the ArriveCAN app before traveling to Canada. Those who meet Canada’s criteria as a fully vaccinated traveler can be exempted from the quarantine requirement by a border services officer upon entering Canada”.