Canada SDS Visa Requirements from India!

The SDS IRCC requirements have been more straightforward for those wishing to study in Canada. With an SDS visa success rate is much higher for students than the general visa, with around 60% of applications being approved through SDS immigration.

If you’re a student looking to go abroad to study, you’ve probably thought of Canada more than once. Most people who go to Canada seem to want to settle there. Luckily, the SDS student visa allows you to take your studies there without much trouble.

Student Direct Stream Visa: Duration and Validity

SDS Visa for Canada:

• Available to students from 14 different countries.
• Valid for the entire duration of the course.
• Expires with the passport; renewal requires extending the study permit.
• Processing time: Within 20 calendar days.
• Exclusive to students; not applicable for working or living in Canada as a non-student.
• Straightforward application process.
• Possible to attempt a status change towards the end of the study period.
• Provides more education options under the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) network.

Non-SDS Immigration Visas (General Category):

• Allows studying, working, and living in Canada.
• Requirements are more demanding than SDS visas.
• Involves a higher burden of documentation.
• Offers greater flexibility but with increased application complexity.

In a Nutshell

Indians studying in Canada can avail SDS visas, this is not a work visa. This visa is valid for the duration of the course or till the passport is valid, whichever comes first. SDS visas are processed in 20 calendar days.

SDS Visa Requirements

Here is a list of documents and conditions that you need to comply with the IRCC’s SDS visa requirements.

A. Proof of an Approved Language Proficiency Test

The language proficiency test result must not be more than 2 years old and they must be taken in-person. Online and remote language tests are not accepted. The test result must show that all four language abilities (speaking, listening, reading and writing) were tested. These tests are being accepted after 10th August 2023. 

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Type of Test	Accepted Score
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IELTS Academic
IELTS General
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TOEFL iBTL
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*Understand more about equivalent scores.

B. Proof of Acceptance Into a Registered DLI

Students need proof of acceptance into a registered DLI to avail the SDS visa. Designated Learning Institutions are schools approved by the government to host international students. All primary and secondary schools are DLIs. Check this list to know if the post-secondary school you’re applying to is a DLI. 

C. Financial Requirements

• Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)

Another student direct stream eligibility criteria is the Guaranteed Investment Certificate for 10,000 Canadian Dollars. The GIC is a secure investment certificate that is a part of the SDS IRCC requirements that shows that you can afford your stay in Canada and subsequent departure. It will be returned to you with a specified percentage of interest over the first year of your study in Canada.

Several banks provide Canadian GICs as a service, which is crucial to meet your SDS visa requirements. Each bank also provides its fixed interest rate, and you can choose from different investment options to avail of the certificate.

• First-Year Tuition Payment

Once you have been accepted into a college or university of your choice, you will need to make a payment for the first year of your education. Ensure you obtain a copy of the payment receipt from the institution, as this is a key part of your SDS immigration documents.

D. Other Requirements

• File a complete application with all proof

In most cases where an application is rejected, it is because an applicant has failed to meet the SDS visa requirements or fails to show proof for the same. There have also been many incidents of fraudulent documentation, which have dropped approval rates significantly.

• Respect the conditions of your stay in Canada

Students have been deported, and their SDS visa renewals have been rejected for failing to meet the conditions of their stay in Canada. Breaking any rules, even accidentally, can mean the end of your Canadian experience.

• Medical Certificate 

A medical certificate may be required if you have lived or traveled in [certain countries](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/medical-police/medical-exams/requirements-temporary-residents/country-requirements.html

wb-auto-5) in the past year. Indian students are required to undergo a medical test if they are living in Canada for more than 6 months. 

Know more about the medical exam requirements in Canada.

You may also require:

• Post-secondary educational transcript

• Police Certificate (if required)

Application Process for SDS Visa

• Signing up to the IRCC portal

Visit canada.ca and find the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Portal for designated learning institutions section of the website to enrol for an account and a GC key. This account will be the central point where you will send and receive communication from the IRCC.

You must answer the IRCC enrollment questionnaire question by question before submitting your enrollment application. You will also have to submit the required documents (ID proof) and electronically sign the application before submitting your application. You can also check what SDS visa status on this portal while you wait for official communication.

• Filing an SDS visa application

Once you have created the online account, you can apply for an SDS student visa through the portal dashboard. Along with submitting the required documents, you will have to pay the fee of C$150 (150 Canadian Dollars) for an SDS visa application. All the details of what is SDS visa and how to apply will also be available on the official portal.

• Document submission

Ensure you have properly scanned copies of all relevant documents to upload them on the portal. If your documents are not in English or French, you must get them translated by a Canadian Certified Translator.

Suppose it has been translated by someone other than a certified translator. In that case, they must provide a notarised affidavit that states they are qualified to translate and have accurately translated the document.

All documents must be validated as certified true copies by a government-approved notary public in your country.

Here is a list of applications that you will have to submit to the portals Integrated Management Module (IMM).

• 1. Application For Study Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM 1294)
  2. Family Information (IMM 5707)
  3. Document Checklist (IMM 5483) 
  4. Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (IMM 5409) - If your spouse/partner is coming with you
  5. Custodianship Declaration – In case a minor must be accompanied (IMM 5646)
  6. Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) - If someone is filing your applications for you
  7. Authorising form for a representative to release personal information (IMM 5475)

If a question is irrelevant to you, answer it with NA or not applicable unless it’s a middle or last name. Once you have submitted all relevant applications, you must wait for the student direct stream processing time.

This makes it all the more important to fill out your application carefully, as negligence can cause your application to be rejected since there may need more time to verify your application details thoroughly. Fill out the form clearly and submit clear, readable documents to ensure the application reviewer can easily cross-check all your documents.

To ensure you have not missed an email from the IRCC, check the trash and spam folders regularly on your registered email account. You will receive an email confirming the acceptance or rejection of your application.

Mastering the SDS Visa Interview

Once your application has been approved, you will have to take the SDS visa interview, determining whether your visa has been granted.

In all immigration interviews based on a temporary visa, the most important factor the interviewer will attempt to verify is your intention to come back once the purpose of your visit is concluded. Your SDS visa is valid for up to 90 days after completing your study program.

Here are a couple of questions you are likely to face in an interview and how you should go about answering them:

Q: Why do you want to study in Canada?

A: I have heard great things about Canada’s education system and believe it will set me on the right career path.

Q: How will you afford your living expenses in Canada?

A: My family will be supporting me, but I also plan to explore opportunities to work on and off campus as per the conditions of my stay in Canada.

Even if you are looking for ways to stay in Canada long-term by transferring to the general category visas, refrain from mentioning this in your interview. You will have plenty of time to address this once you are in Canada. Demonstrating the intention to come back is crucial in the interview process.

Think you’re ready? Don’t waste any more time, then. Apply for your SDS Visa today!

Apply Here Apply Here

Visa Approval and beyond: Canada SDS Visa

Here are few tips for what you can do after the approval of the Canada SDS Visa: 

• Document Security: Safeguard all visa approval documents, including the visa approval letter, in a secure and easily accessible location.
• Passport Validity: Ensure your passport remains valid for the entire duration of your study in Canada. Renew it promptly if it expires during your stay.
• Understanding Visa Conditions:  Familiarise yourself with the conditions of your SDS visa to comply with any restrictions or requirements during your stay.
• Arrival Planning: Plan your arrival in Canada in advance, considering accommodation, transportation, and initial settling-in arrangements.
• Orientation Participation: Attend any orientation programs offered by your educational institution to gain valuable insights into academic and social aspects of life in Canada.
• Health Insurance Coverage: Confirm and maintain health insurance coverage for the entire duration of your stay. Understand how to access medical services in Canada.
• Financial Setup: Open a Canadian bank account upon arrival, acquainting yourself with local currency and financial systems.
• Study Permit Expiry Monitoring: Keep track of your study permit’s expiration date and initiate the renewal process well before it expires.
• Connect with Support Services: Establish contact with support services provided by your educational institution, especially international student advisors, for assistance with queries or challenges.
• Explore Local Culture: Immerse yourself in the local culture and community. Attend social events, join clubs, and build connections to enhance your overall Canadian experience.

Key Takeaways

To summarise, here’s how the SDS visa makes your life as a student much easier.

• Higher chance of approval
• Student direct stream processing time is much lower
• Visa also allows for some short-term work opportunities
• Many reputed Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) to choose from
• Opportunities to pursue PR and other long-term stay options post-education

Once you’ve made it to Canada and assimilated to the culture and way of life, you’ll be in a much better position to transition to a general category visa. The SDS visa lets you get there relatively hassle-free and plan your next move from ground zero.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is SDS Visa, and what are its benefits?

The Student Direct Stream visa is an expedited student-only visa that allows residents of 14 different countries to study in any Designated Learning Institute (DLI) in Canada. The SDS visa success rate is much higher than other visas, and it is processed within 20 calendar days, with fewer financial documents required.

2. What are the eligibility criteria for an SDS Visa?

The SDS visa requirements are as follows:

• Proof of a valid language test taken no more than 2 years before the date of the SDS application
• Guaranteed Investment Certificate for 10,000 Canadian Dollars.
• Letter of acceptance from DLI
• Proof of full payment of first-year tuition with DLI
• Medical examination certificate (if required)
• Police certificate (if required)

3. What are SDS and non-SDS visas?

SDS visas or Student Direct Stream visas are expedited visas meant to make it easier for international students to pursue their higher studies in Canada. The SDS IIRC visa is only open to students from a pre-determined list of 14 countries.

Non-SDS visas are for those who wish to study, work and live in Canada. The documentation requirements for this visa are more extensive, and it takes a long time to be processed and/or approved.

4. What is the success rate for an SDS visa?

According to a report from 2022, the SDS visa success rate was above 60%, much higher than non-SDS visas, which were just short of 20%. There is speculation that the approval rate is growing even higher since the majority of rejections tend to be because of poorly filed applications and fraudulent applications.

5. Can I renew my SDS visa?

The SDS visa is valid for the duration of your study term plus 90 days. If you wish to continue studying in Canada, you must apply for a new study permit. Suppose the duration of your SDS visa expires before you can apply. In that case, you will need to apply to restore your temporary residential status in Canada while meeting any prescribed conditions for your stay in Canada. Ensure you consider the student direct stream processing time when you are applying for renewal.