Application Process and FAQs for SDS Canada

SDS Canada Application Process and FAQs: If you want to study in Canada and are an aspiring Indian student, the SDS (Student Direct Stream) programme is your passport to a simplified and speedy visa application procedure. This blog will offer you a full description of the processes required to ensure a smooth and successful path towards your Canadian education.

The first step in the SDS Canada application procedure is to confirm your eligibility. You must be a legal resident of India, have an admission letter from a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada, and show financial evidence.

Once you have met the qualifying requirements, it's time to obtain the relevant documentation. A valid passport, recent pictures, evidence of tuition payment, language competence test results, and a completed study permit application form are usually required. After that, you must submit your application online and pay the needed costs. It is critical to ensure that the information given is correct and up to date.

Throughout this blog on the SDS Canada application process and FAQs, we will go through each step involved in the application process, recommendations, and the answers to frequently asked issues.

What is SDS?

Students Direct Stream (SDS) was previously called the Students Partner Program (SPP). Canadian Immigration Services (CIS) has introduced this initiative as an opening gambit. Students seeking to study in Canada receive quick and direct processing of their Canadian visa applications through the SDS approach. To proceed further, online submissions are the only way to complete an SDS application. However, the IRCC also requires students to meet the necessary criteria set by them for this SDS program initiative.

What is a Non-SDS Visa?

This is the general category for students applying for a student visa to study in Canada irrespective of their country of origin. Through this approach, candidates who cannot meet SDS requirements are also allowed to apply. Not to mention, applicants could also be required to submit additional documents as part of the application process.

Our study abroad consultants have assisted numerous students to get admission to top Canadian universities through both SDS and Non-SDS programs. Many of our students are pursuing their dreams of studying in Canada.

Changes in the Study Visa Rules Under SDS Program

As a result of the SDS visa system, the IELTS threshold score requirement for postgraduate and undergraduate courses has increased from 5.5 to 6.0. SPP Colleges in recent years have been inundated with visa applications from students over their capacity.

Furthermore, the turnaround time for the offer letter has been extended from two weeks to six to eight weeks. The primary reason behind the implementation of these changes is that there were only 47 SPP colleges in Canada, and the majority of students prefer to attend one of those colleges. SDS visas are now available for almost all colleges and institutes with a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) number, which will give foreign students plenty of options to choose from.

Who is Eligible to Apply for Canada's Student Direct Stream?

Student Direct Stream may enable you to apply for a study permit in Canada if you live in any of the following African or Asian countries:

• India

• Peru

• Colombia

• Morocco

• Senegal

• Vietnam

• Philippines

• Brazil

• China

• Costa Rica

• Trinidad and Tobago

• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

• Antigua and Barbuda

• Pakistan

Note: The Canadian government will start processing the application of international students only after receiving the biometrics and the eligibility criteria requirements.

What are the Documents Required for the SDS Programme?

To be eligible for SDS, an international must be a resident of one of the above-discussed countries. Here is a comprehensive list of the documents required for the SDS programme:

• Statement of Purpose.

• English proficiency test scores of 6.0 bands on IELTS are required for undergraduates and 6.5 bands on IELTS is required for graduate students.

• The offer letter from the colleges that are part of SDS.

• Digital Photographs.

• A minimum aggregate grade of 50% must be scored in undergraduate courses. Transcripts of official academic records, including the grade 12 mark sheets.

• A receipt for tuition fees.

• Advanced diploma of an undergraduate degree.

• Fees of CAD 150 (approximately INR 9,000) for visa applications.

• Valid proof of necessary medical testing.

• Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GIC) of CAD 10,000 (approximately INR 597,999) to cover all living expenses.

• For postgraduate courses, applicants must obtain a minimum score of 50%.

• Evidence of having prior work experience.

What are the Documents Required for a Non-SDS Visa Application?

For international students to study in Canada, here is a comprehensive list of the documents required for the Non-SDS visa application:

• A letter of offer from a college participating in Non-SDS.

• Transcripts of official academic records, including the grade 12 mark sheets and a minimum aggregate grade of 50% must be achieved in undergraduate courses.

• A minimum score of 6.0 in IELTS is required for UG and 6.5 in IELTS for PG.

• Whether a candidate or a sponsor filed their tax return or fill out form 16.

• A receipt for tuition fees.

• An applicant must have at least a 50% academic score to pursue postgraduate study.

• A copy of your last three payrolls and proof of past work experience.

• Evidence of financial funds, such as student loans, investments, and bank savings.

• A visa application fee of CAD 150 (approximately INR 9000) is required.

• Advanced Diploma or an undergraduate degree.

• Medical tests as proof of need.

Why Choose SDS over Non-SDS?

Now that you have an idea about what is SDS and non-SDS as well as the difference between both them, let us now look at some important reasons for choosing SDS over Non-SDS.

• Faster processing: Compared with a non-SDS approach, SDS is faster and simpler. It takes roughly 45 days to complete the SDS process.

• Fewer Documents: To prove financial eligibility, candidates need not submit many documents under the SDS category. On the other hand, there are more documents in a Non-SDS approach.

SDS Canada Application Process 

The application process for Indian students applying to SDS Canada involves eligibility checks, document gathering, online submission, biometrics, fee payment, processing, and study permit issuance. Let us discuss these steps one by one in briefly: 

• Step 1: Verify Eligibility - Indian students must confirm their eligibility by making sure they are citizens of India, have an acceptance letter from a Canadian designated learning institution (DLI), and meet the necessary financial requirements, which may include purchasing a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC).

• Step 2: Gather Required Documents - Compile the required documents, including a current passport, recent photos, a DLI acceptance letter, evidence of first-year tuition payment, the results of a language test (such as the TOEFL or IELTS), and a study visa application form.

• Step 3: Online Application Submission - Create an account on the website of the Government of Canada, fill out the application online, and upload any necessary paperwork.

• Step 4: Collection of Biometric Data - Make an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to give biometric data, such as fingerprints and digital picture.

• Step 5: Fee Payment - Pay the application fee for a study permit and the biometrics cost online or at a place that accepts credit cards.

• Step 6: Application Processing - The application will be processed by the Canadian immigration authorities, with processing timeframes ranging.

• Step 7: Decision and Issuance of the Study Visa - After being accepted, candidates are given a letter of introduction to use to apply for their study visa once they arrive in Canada.

Application Process for Non-SDS

The following is the step-by-step application process for non-SDS:

• Step1: Log in with your GCKey username and password at the official CIC Canada website. Acknowledge all the terms and conditions and perform the identification verification.

• Step 2: Enter your personal reference code into your application. In the absence of the code, answer some questions to determine your eligibility, then apply online. Lastly, save the answers before exiting the questionnaire.

• Step 3: When you have answered all the questions, a pop-up will let you know whether you are eligible. We will proceed to the next step if you meet the requirements.

• Step 4: Go back and re-evaluate your answers!

• Step 5: Ensure that your checklist and documents are up to date. If anything is missing, add it.

• Step 6: Finish your and submit it.

Hope this information has helped you to understand what SDS and non-SDS are all about. Follow the step-by-step instructions mentioned above to apply for your preferred choice between SDS and non-SDS.

In conclusion, it is essential for Indian students applying for a Canada student visa to fully understand the difference between SDS and Non-SDS programmes. Non-SDS uses the standard application procedure whereas SDS offers a simplified one. As we have seen, both applications include eligibility checks, document collection, online submission, biometrics, payment of fees, processing, and permit issues. For further clarification, consult the FAQs section. Select the programme that best suits your needs, then confidently begin your Canadian education experience!

Do you still have questions about how to begin your application? Contact us at abroad@collegedekho.com. In the past years, we have helped countless students make reasonable decisions about studying in Canada.