How to Apply for SDS Canada as an Indian Student?

What Is SDS Canada for Indian Students?

SDS full form is Student Direct Stream Canada. This program was started by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to fasten the visa process from 14 specific countries including India, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan. However, this program is useful for Indian students who are planning to study in Canada for the upcoming intake. Thus, students from India applying to colleges in Canada can now expect faster visa processing through the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program.

Furthermore, the main motive behind the SDS program is to smooth the entire process of visa for studying at the different universities in Canada. However, the program has a lot of benefits for Indian students. Some of them are as follows:

• Quicker Processing Time: The processing time for a usual Canada visa is around 2-3 months. On the other hand, Canada SDS visa processing time is 2-3 weeks or 20 days.

• Fewer Documents Required: SDS Canada not only requires less time but also less number of documents to prove financial and personal eligibility. Thus, an SDS visa is easy to receive.

Overall, this is all about SDS Canada for Indian students and its benefits. In the next section, you will see the procedure on how to apply for the SDS Canada.

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How to Apply for SDS Canada?

The application process for the SDS program is a simple procedure for Indian students. However, if you are facing issues in completing the application for your SDS Canada then we’re here for you! Connect with our study abroad consultants and seek proper guidance from them on your application process. Now look at the below-given points and see the application process of SDS step-by-step.

1. Visit the official website of IRCC and fill out the SDS application form (Required for everyone)

2. Upload the scanned copies of your academic and personal documents.

3. Pay the fees. The fees here are divided into two categories: The SDS Canada application fee is CAD 150 per person (INR 8985), while the biometrics fee is CAD 85 (INR 5091)

4. After completing the payment, you will receive the link to your biometrics request letter. You need to provide (fingerprints and photo) information for your application to begin.

5. After your biometrics are done, you need to go through the medical exams and background verification too.

6. Once the verification is done, you will receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for entry into Canada as an International student.

Overall, this is the process for Canada SDS visa application program. In the next section, you will find out about the eligibility criteria for an SDS visa.

Eligibility Criteria for Student Direct Stream (SDS) Visa for Indian Students

Indian students need to understand the eligibility criteria for an SDS Canada visa, to have a successful journey. Thus, this section will let you know about the SDS Canada requirements for Indian students. However, the candidate must:

• Be a legal resident of India (or Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam)

Now let’s have a look at the further requirements for an SDS Canada visa.

English Language Requirements

The universities in Canada has some of the basic English language requirements that are as follows:

Language Proficiency Exams	Minimum Score Requirements
SDS IELTS Requirement	Minimum score of 6.0
SDS TOEFL Requirement	Minimum score of 83
SDS PTE Requirement	Minimum score of 60
CELPIP	Equivalent score to a Canadian language benchmarks (CLB) score of 7 or higher for each ability
CAEL	Minimum score of 60

Documents Required

The documents required for SDS visa Canada application are as follows:

• Acceptance Letter from the DLI
• A copy of the upfront medical exam confirmation document (if required)
• Proof of GIC payment of CAD 20,635 (INR 12,36,053)
• Copies of Academic transcripts
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Application form for a study permit outside of Canada
• Application for temporary resident visa form
• Statement of Purpose
• Identity Proof
• Police verification certificate (Required only for few courses)

These are all the requirements for SDS Canada program. Our next section will talk about how GIC help you in getting the SDS Canada.

How Does GIC Help You in Getting the SDS Canada?

To get SDS Canada, students need to show a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) that serves as proof of funds to make them eligible for a Canadian visa. This is for those students who are planning to study in Canada under the SDS (Student Direct Stream) programme. However, the IRCC has set up the GIC Canada amount CAD 20,635 (INR 12,42,181). Below we have mentioned a list of financial institutions that meet the criteria for SDS Canada.

1. ICICI Bank

2. SBI Canada Bank

3. HSBC Canada Bank

4. RBC Royal Bank

5. Scotia Bank

Furthermore, the GIC required for Canada is important for the Indian students. In the next section, you will see the benefits of applying study permit through the Student Direct Stream (SDS).

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Benefits of Applying for Study Permit Through Student Direct Stream (SDS)

There are several benefits students receive in their study abroad journey through the SDS program. Some of them are as follows:

• Online Process: The process for applying for Canada SDS application is completely online and hence it is a less time-consuming and smooth process.

• Higher Chances of Approval: Since the eligibility criteria decrease the number of applicants, the chances of approval get higher. However, the SDS visa success rateis 70%, meaning you can get your study permit within 4-6 weeks.

• Faster Processing Time: The processing time for SDS application is 20 days as compared to a few months for a non-regular SDS application.

• Number of Universities & Colleges: Students who would apply through the SDS program might get several options for universities and colleges to study.

Overall, these are the benefits of applying through SDS Canada for Indian students. The next section will let you know the difference between SDS and non-SDS visa applications.

Difference Between SDS and NON-SDS Visa Applications

Indian students need to understand the difference between SDS and non-SDS to make the right decision. Thus, in the table below we have presented the difference between SDS and Non SDS visa process:

Category	SDS	Non-SDS
Visa Processing Time	20 calendar days	6-8 weeks approx
Eligibility	Applicable in Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Vietnam	Applicable to All Countries
Documentation	Brief	Huge
Process	Streamlined and Efficient	Lengthy and Confusing Sometimes
Medium	Online (Only)	Can be submitted offline
Success Rate	71%	40%

Suggested Read: SDS and Non SDS Visa Canada 

Conclusion

To conclude, we discussed the SDS Canada program, the application process, eligibility criteria and benefits for Indian students. Further, we also had a look at the GIC, DLI, and the difference between SDS and Non-SDS visa applications. Now if you have a dream to study abroad in Canada and are facing issues then you have come to the right place! You can connect with our study abroad consultants in Thrissur as they will help you in completing your SDS application for Canada.

FAQs

Ques 1. what is sds category in canada

The SDS category in Canada, formerly known as the Students Partner Program (SPP), was a streamlined process for international students seeking to study in Canada. It offered faster visa processing for eligible students. However, the SDS program has been discontinued. 

Ques 2. How Long Does It Take to Get a Study Visa After Biometrics in Canada?

The Canada student visa processing time after biometrics is approximately 8 weeks to receive a valid visa. During this time, Canadian immigration authorities verify your identity and necessary security checks.

Ques 3. How Long Does It Take to Review IRCC Eligibility?

The decision is based on the document checklist when the application is received. However, according to IRCC, the six-month processing period begins when an application meets the completeness check.

Ques 4. What IELTS Score is Required for SDS Canada?

To be eligible for SDS Canada, students must achieve a minimum overall IELTS score of 6 bands (no band less than 6).

Ques 5. What is new SDS rule in Canada?

An optional program initiative known as the Student Direct Stream (SDS) allowed eligible applicants for study permits to expedite processing of their applications if they applied before November 8, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., Eastern standard time (EST). The program is now over.