Canada is one of the preferred study abroad destinations among international students. It has got an attractive student visa policy. Students get many benefits if they choose to study in Canada. As a part of the visa application process students need to meet certain requirements.
This blog covers
- Categories for Canada study visa
- SDS- Student direct stream for Study in Canada
- Requirements for SDS visa
- NON SDS visa for Canada
- Requirements for NON SDS Visa Canada
- Difference between SDS and non SDS visa Canada
- SDS visa application for study in Canada
- NON SDS visa application for study in Canada
- SDS colleges in Canada
Categories for Canada study visa
If you are a student from India looking forward to study in Canada then you may apply for your visa under one of the 2 categories SDS that is student direct stream and non SDS which is also called general visa category. Subject to fulfilling the requirements of any of these two you may apply for your application to pursue your course in Canada.
SDS- Student direct stream for Study in Canada
This is a streamlined process under which the applicants submit their application online. If your country falls under the SDS processing the students may avail the faster processing of their Canada study permit under Student direct stream. Students may be able to get the result of their application in 20 calendar days.
Requirements for SDS visa
To get your application considered under SDS that is student direct stream applicants need to fulfil certain document requirements as below
- Applicant must be a resident of a country which is covered in this scheme. Applicants from India are eligible for SDS procession of their visa
- Applicants must have an offer of a place from a designated learning institute in Canada. This the another requirement of having acceptance letter from DLI in Canada
- Applicants must be outside of Canada when they apply for their visa under SDS stream
- Applicants must have paid for one year of the tuition fees
- They must have a GIC of Canadian dollars 10000
- They must have upfront medical
- They must have IELTS band score of 6 each in all of the four modules of IELTS.
Above are the document requirements for SDS visa
NON SDS visa for Canada
If you do not meet any of the above requirements your application would not be considered under SDS scheme. Applicants then need to follow the regular study permit application process.
Your application would be under regular study permit process that is non SDS if you are not a resident of the country listed under the SDS stream. If you are a citizen of the countries mentioned in the list but you live somewhere else then also your application would be a non SDS visa application.
Let’s say that you are a citizen of India but you are currently in Australia. Now despite being citizen of India you cannot apply for SDS visa for Canada as you do not currently live in India.
Requirements for NON SDS visa for Canada
There are certain document requirements applicants need to meet under NON SDS visa category. These are as below
- You must have an offer of a place from a DLI that is designated learning institute in Canada
- You are highly recommended to pay for the tuition fee for one year. Although it is not mandatory under NON SDS visa for Canada but having paid the tuition fee may positively impact the application. There are of course other requirements which you need to meet.
- You must have funds and or a payment plan for the entire duration of tour course and cost of living in Cana
- You are highly recommended to have a proof of your English language ability
- You must prove that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay.
Difference between SDS and non SDS visa Canada
A common question of applicants applying for Canada student visa is about the Difference between SDS and non SDS visa Canada.
First major difference
The first major difference is of the comparatively less documentation for student direct stream visas. Here the students may not be required to provide documentary evidence of funds of the tuition fees and cost of living for complete duration of the course whereas in non SDS visa applicants are required to provide evidence of funds availability for the tuition fee and cost of living for complete duration of the program
Second difference
The second major difference between SDS and non SDS visa Canada is the faster processing time of Canada Study visa under SDS stream. International applicants may avail a faster processing time of up to 20 calendar days. This is a big attraction of SDS stream among students.
SDS visa application process for study in Canada
Applicants need to apply for their SDS visa online. It cannot be applied on paper.
Create a GC key on Canada’s official website
Answer the questions to get a checklist
Fill up the Canada student visa forms
Attach the SDS documents checklist
Pay the Canada study visa embassy fees
Submit the visa application
NON SDS visa application for study in Canada
Create a GC key on Canada’s official website
Answer the questions to get a checklist. Be very careful about it
Fill up the Canada student visa forms
Attach the non SDS documents checklist. Be very clear about the document requirements for funds under non SDS visa category.
Pay the Canada study visa embassy fees
Submit the visa application
Success rate of SDS and non SDS visa applications for Canada
The success rate of the application does not solely depend on the visa category. The students may avail the less documentation and less processing time under SDS visa but there are other factors influencing the success rate of your application like choosing a relevant course, having the English language ability to successfully compete the course to name a few. So to the increase the success rate of SDS and non SDS visa applications for Canada choose a course properly and present your Canada student visa file effectively.
SDS colleges in Canada
SDS stream is related to whether you are the citizen of the country under the list of SDS applicable countries as well as you reside in that country along with fulfilling the requirements of SDS visa category. There may not be a list of SDS colleges in Canada. Processing of your SDS application has to do with the requirement of the stream not a particular college. The requirement of the college is of having acceptance letter from DLI in Canada.
Some of the DLI where international students may opt to study are
- University of Canada West
- University of Northern British Columbia
- Acadia University
- MSVU
- Nipissing University
- Coast Mountain College