To be eligible for the SDS you must be able to show proof of full payment for the first year of your studies in a DLI. You can meet this requirement by providing one of the following with your SDS application:
- a receipt from the DLI;
- an official letter from the DLI confirming payment of tuition fees;
- a receipt from a bank showing that tuition fees have been paid to the DLI; or,
- proof that the tuition fee amount has been transferred into a repository account at the DLI to be applied to the tuition bill at a later date
Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)
To be able to apply for a Study Permit through the SDS, international students living in one of the eligible countries must first purchase a GIC of $10,000 CAD. A GIC is a Canadian investment that has a guaranteed rate of return for a fixed period of time. The GIC must be purchased from a financial institution listed on the Canadian Deposit Insurance Company (CDIC) website. This financial institution must:
- confirm the purchase by providing you with:
- a letter of attestation,
- a GIC certificate,
- an Investment Directions Confirmation, or
- an Investment Balance Confirmation;
- hold the GIC in an investment or a student account that you can’t access until you arrive in Canada;
- confirm your identity before they release any funds to you;
- release the funds to you by providing:
- an initial lump sum once you identify yourself upon arrival in Canada,
- the remainder of the funds in monthly or bi-monthly installments over 10 to 12 months.
Language Test
You must have a language test result showing either:
- IELTS Academic with a score of 6.0 or higher in each skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening) or;
- TEF score that is equal to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of at least 7 in each skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
Important to note: Beginning in August 2023 → there are 4 new English tests that students applying under the SDS may wish to take: CELPIP General; Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) – minimum score 60; Pearson PTE Academic – minimum score 60, TOEFL iBT – minimum score of 83.
Our Process
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Acceptance letter from a postsecondary designated learning institution (DLI).
- Medical examination.
- Police certificate.
- Recent secondary or postsecondary school transcript(s).
- Applicants intending to study in Quebec must also have a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration.
No. The Student Direct Stream helps you get a study permit faster, but you still must meet all the eligibility requirements for a study permit.
If IRCC refuses your study permit application, contact the bank that issued your Guaranteed Investment Certificate to get a refund.
No. The Student Direct Stream is for post-secondary students only.
Yes, you may be able to bring your spouse or common-law partner, as well as your dependent children, to accompany you in Canada. They may qualify for a study or work permit or a visitor visa. It is important to submit their applications online with your study permit application.
