Planning to study in Canada? Then, you might come across the terms SDS and Non SDS when learning the visa application process. SDS stands for Student Direct Stream and is only applicable to certain countries like India, China, Brazil, etc. While, non-SDS is a general visa application process suitable for candidates looking for temporary residency in Canada.
Now that you might have gained basic details on SDS and non-SDS for Canada visa applications. To know more, read on this blog!
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The SDS, or Student Direct Stream, is an initiative by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada to make the study visa process more efficient for overseas learners. Under this approach, student visa applications are processed quickly and directly within 20 days from the date of submission.
Also, to apply for an SDS visa, you must fill out the application online. Hence, it enables applicants to get their visas within 4-6 weeks.
Let's learn more about the SDS visa requirements and the process to apply online through the following sub-sections.
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Like every visa subclass, the SDS Canada visa also comes with a set of requirements to process the applications quickly. Thus, candidates who are likely to fulfil those conditions and submit documents on time make the immigration officer's work much easier. So, let us see the SDS visa requirements one by one:
1. Language Proficiency Test
Also Read: Different Entrance Exams for Studying Abroad
2. Passport
3. Identification Proof
The candidate has to submit additional ID proofs along with their passport. So, it can be an Aadhar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, or Driving License.
4. Family Information Form [IMM 5645]
5. Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)
i.Attestation Letter
ii. A GIC Certificate
iii. An Investment Balance Confirmation
These are the primary documents a candidate should hold when applying for an SDS visa. Some more documents include:
Also Read: What is SDS? How to Apply for SDS in 4 Easy Steps?
Here's a step-by-step guide to applying for SDS Canadian visa:
1. Firstly, visit the Immigration Refugee Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website and fill out the SDS Visa application form IMM 1294.
2. Upload the scanned copies of all the required documents as mentioned above.
3. Then, pay the final fees. The fee is divided into - Application and Biometric fees. The application costs CAD 150 per person, while the biometric charge is CAD 85.
4. After completing payment, you will receive a link to your biometric request letter. Then, you have to provide your biometrics (fingerprints and pictures) against your application to be processed.
5. Wait for your biometric request to be accepted. Once it's done, you might need to go through medical exams and background verification.
6. After approval of your SDS Canada visa, you will receive a letter of introduction, a temporary resident visa, and an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada as an overseas student.
Also Read: In-depth Guide to the Canada Student Visa Application
Also, it’s advised to get assistance from an overseas agent before applying for the visa to ensure a successful and hassle-free processing. Further, let us go through the visa application fees for SDS.
The SDS Canada visa application fees is C$150 (INR 11,000). While you need to pay C$85 extra to submit your biometric. Hence, you must provide your biometrics and meet the eligibility for faster processing of your visa application. Get an idea of the SDS visa operating time via the next section.
Unlike the other visa processing that take up to 2-3 months, Canada SDS visa processing time is typically less. It allows students to avail their visa in just 4-6 weeks. Also, if a student meet every eligibility criteria beforehand are more likely to get their visas within 20 days.
Hope you got an idea of what SDS is and how to begin its application process. There is another type of visa available that can provide temporary entry to Canada. Let's learn about it via the next section!
Kickstart Your Canada Journey with SDS or Non SDS Visa Today With Gradding.com. Learn About Eligibility, Requirements, and Fees to Apply for the Visa.
Non SDS (Student Direct Stream) is a general category Canada visa. It allows temporary residence, study and work in the nation, thus inviting students across the world. It is suitable for candidates who have missed a chance to apply for an SDS permit. Thus, they can opt for a Non SDS visa and submit the application with all supportive documents. Further, non-SDS visa requires more documentation than SDS and it’s a lengthy process.
Moreover, you can either apply online or offline, with the relevant application and biometric fees. Want to know about this visa type more? Scroll down and read the sub-section that covers eligibility and the process to apply for a Non-SDS visa.
Looking for the non SDS visa requirement? Here, you will get updated details on the same. Keep reading!
Mainly, the requirements of both SDS and non-SDS visas are almost the same. So, the documents needed are:
1. Language Proficiency Test:
2. Passport:
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3. Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)
4. Family Information Form [IMM 5645]
Just like SDS, the candidate needs to create a family information form as a part of the application process.
5. Tuition Fee
i.The bank's receipt shows the complete payment of tuition fees.
ii. An official letter drafted by the institution regarding payment confirmation.
These are the mandatory documents one should hold when applying for a Non SDS visa. Some additional papers include:
Look no Further than Gradding.com. Talk to Their Experts Today and Get Your Doubts Cleared Regarding SDS or Non SDS Visa With Top Experts.
Book a Session Now!Here's a step-by-step guide to understanding the Non-SDS visa Canada application process:
STEP 1: On the official website of Canada Immigration, create your account and generate a GCKey user ID and password. Further, accept all the terms & conditions and fill in the application form.
STEP 2: Begin your application and enter your personal reference code. If you aren't aware of the code, determine your eligibility by answering a few questions. At last, save your responses and exit the questionnaire.
STEP 3: Post that, you will receive a pop-up message that shows whether you're eligible for a non SDS visa or not. If qualify, let's follow the next step straight away!
STEP 4: Review your answers finally.
STEP 5: Upload all the required documents and check to ensure that nothing is missing.
STEP 6: Submit your application at last.
Even though a non-SDS permit is just for 6 months, the cost of a visa application is similar to SDS, i.e. C$150. While the biometric fee is C$85. For more insights, you can visit IRCC's official website.
Unlike SDS, Canada non SDS visa processing time takes several months until a final reply. Hence, the operating time for this visa permit can 90 days or more depending on the application submitted by the students.
Thus, to give a clear picture of SDS and non-SDS visa and which should you opt for, we've curated the next section distinguishing both visas.
It's important to learn the difference between an SDS and non-SDS visa, to make the right decision for yourself. Here's the chart that shows the contrast between these visas:
Let's explore the English language requirements in brief for both SDS and non SDS visa Canada to prevent visa rejection. Scroll down and read the next section!
As per the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announcement, other than the IELTS exam, additional English tests will be accepted under the Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa program. The IELTS test has been accepted in SDS from the initial, and the best part is there was no change to the min required IELTS band 6.
Meanwhile, the overall SDS visa Canada permit English score requirements for academic tests are as follows:
ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTS | MINIMUM SCORES REQUIRED |
---|---|
IELTS Academic | 6.0 |
Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) | 60 |
TOEFL iBT | 83 |
Pearson Test of English (PTE) | 60 |
According to Pearson, a PTE score of 60 is identical to an IELTS band score of 6.5-7.0. Thus, a higher band than PTE.
With this, let's move on to the next section and learn about the SDS and non SDS visa success rate such that you can make an informed decision at the earliest.
Also Read: Know the Cheapest City in Canada for International Students
Here's the comparison of both Canadian visas. Check the following points:
Choosing between both visas can be confusing. To help you make an informed decision, we have prepared a section that provides a brief overview of both options. Thus, scroll down and read the following section.
SDS vs non SDS Canada, which one is better? By now, you must have figured out a little that opting for an SDS would be a better choice. So, we've prepared these points to give you a clear picture.
After every knowledge of SDS vs non SDS Canada visas, one thing is still left. Where will you study in Canada? No idea, right? That's why we've curated the next section covering the same. Thus, read on and shortlist a suitable college for yourself.
Below mentioned are the top SDS and non-SDS universities in Canada:
There are a number of universities and colleges that reserve their seats for SDS visa holders. Thus, the top ones include:
SDS UNIVERSITIES & Rank | SPECIFICATIONS |
---|---|
University of Toronto #21 |
Located in: Ontario Popular Courses:
Average Fees / Year: CAD 50,000 - CAD 130,000 |
University of Waterloo #112 |
Located in: Waterloo, Ontario Popular Courses:
Average Fee / Year: CAD 40,000 - CAD 90,000 |
Seneca College #1572 |
Located in: Waterloo,Ontario Popular Courses:
Average Fee / Year: CAD 40,000 - CAD 90,000 |
Vanier College #4058 |
Located in: Toronto, Ontario Popular Courses:
Average Fees / Year: CAD 15,000 - CAD 20,000 |
Columbia College #23 |
Located in: Vancouver Popular Courses:
Average Fee / Year: CAD 16,500 - CAD 33,000 |
Top non-SDS universities in Canada are listed below:
NON-SDS UNIVERSITIES | SPECIFICATIONS |
---|---|
University Canada West #123 |
Located in: Vancouver Popular Courses:
Average Fee / Year: CAD 7,000 - CAD 20,000 |
University of Windsor #641-650 |
Located in: Windsor, Ontario Popular Courses:
Average Fee / Year: CAD 19,500 - CAD 40,000 |
York University #353 |
Located in: Toronto, Ontario Popular Courses:
Average Fee / Year: CAD 16,000 - CAD 20,000 |
King’s University College |
Located in: London, Ontario Popular Courses:
Average Fee / Year: CAD 4,000 - CAD 10,000 |
Brock University |
Located in: Ontario Popular Courses:
Average Fee / Year: CAD 20,000 - CAD 30,000 |
Also Read: Complete Guide for Availing Study Loan for Canada
In conclusion, the decision to choose between an SDS and non SDS visa entirely depends on whether you meet the eligibility criteria and provide the financial proof on time. Also, if you have any other queries regarding these visas, you can get in touch with our overseas experts at Gradding.com. They will help you understand both visa processes in detail.
It takes 4-5 weeks for the processing of an SDS visa. Mostly, it gets processed within 20 days if applicants fulfil all the eligibility criteria.
An SDS visa takes less processing time than a non-SDS visa. Also, the non-SDS visa is mainly designed for short-term courses.
In the case of a Non-SDS visa, a Guaranteed Investment Certificate is not compulsory.
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