SDS and Non SDS Visa Canada Visa Applications 2024

What Is an SDS Visa? Requirements, Fees and Process

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.

Also Read: Diploma Courses in Canada

Eligibility Criteria for SDS Canada

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

• Overseas students must submit proof of English Language test results of their IELTS exam.
• For study purposes, students must take the IELTS Academic test.
• While you need to score a minimum of 6.0 (UG course) and 6.5 bands (PG course) in each module of the IELTS Test: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. So, this is the basic SDS IELTS requirement for international students.
• Lastly, a minimum score of 7 in Test d'Evaluation de Français (TEF) is a must for learning French. Meanwhile, this test is equivalent to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)

Also Read: Different Entrance Exams for Studying Abroad

2. Passport

• To apply for an SDS visa, you need a valid and updated passport to kick start your Canadian journey.
• After successful passport verification, you become eligible for Study Permit, Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), and more.

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]

• It is a document that depicts your full name, date of birth, marital status, and relationship to you.
• So, the Canadian immigration officers will verify the complete information and grant the study permit based on the details provided.
• Moreover, this data will be collected under the control of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

5. Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)

• A GIC is an investment made by the Canadian government for overseas students. It holds their money of CAD 10,000 to manage living expenses while staying in Canada.
• While students can get their GIC amount from SBI, Canara, ICICI, CIBC, and Scotia Bank.
• Also, make sure to get the following papers from the bank:

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:

• Tuition Fee Receipt
• Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
• Educational Documents such as Academic Transcripts
• Experience Letters
• Medical Examination Report
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Digital Picture

Also Read: What is SDS? How to Apply for SDS in 4 Easy Steps?

Process for SDS Visa Application

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.

SDS Visa Application Fee

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.

SDS Visa Processing Time

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!

What Is Non-SDS Visa? Requirements, Fees and Process

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.

Requirements of 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:

• The candidate should submit a language proficiency test result to study in Canada.
• To study, an IELTS or TOEFL score would be accepted.
• But for immigration purposes, the immigration team would only accept IELTS scores. So, it’s necessary to fulfil basic non SDS IELTS requirement to get trouble-free entry to Canada.

2. Passport:

• The candidate would need a valid and updated passport to apply for a non-SDS visa.
  In case of an expired passport, make sure to renew it before applying for the visa.

Also Read: How to Find Best Part-time Jobs in Canada for Students?

3. Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)

• Unlike SDS, in the case of a non-SDS visa, the GIC certificate is not mandatory.
• Under non-SDS, the candidate can show any liquid funds proof to avoid GIC.
• For instance, Income Tax Returns, Form - 16, J-Forms, GPF, and the Bank Statement can be liquid funds to illustrate that you're financially stable.

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

• Under this visa class, the candidate should submit the tuition fee for the first six months of their course to the university in Canada.
• After payment, the applicant must hold-

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:

• Letter of Acceptance (LOA) or an Offer Letter from a Designated Learning Institute (DLI) in Canada.
• Academic Documents, such as 10th, 12th, UG, PG degree(s), etc.
• Experience Documents, like Appointment Letters, Payslips, Relieving Letters, etc.
• Recently Taken Medical Examination Report
• Statement of Purpose (SOP) should enclose your objective to pursue a particular course and relevant experience in 1000-1500 words.
• Digital Passport Size Picture

Process for Non-SDS Visa Application

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.

Non-SDS Visa Application Fee

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.

Non-SDS Visa Processing Time

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.

Difference Between SDS and Non-SDS Visa

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!

Language Score Required for SDS Visa

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

SDS and Non-SDS Visa Success Rate

Here's the comparison of both Canadian visas. Check the following points:

• The success rate for non-SDS visa applications is considerably lower than SDS.
• The reason is SDS demands fewer documents compared to non-SDS.
• Meanwhile, the SDS visa success rate was 71% in 2021, whereas it was 40% in the case of non-SDS. Thus, make a right choice before applying for a visa to Canada.

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.

Benefits of Choosing SDS Over Non-SDS

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.

• Quicker Processing Time: As we know, SDS aims to process the visa application in just 4 weeks, compared to the regular processing of several months in the case of a non-SDS visa.
• Less Documentation: GIC is mandatory in SDS visa processing and covers most of the information as asked by IRCC Canada. Hence, it reduces the burden on the applicant's side.
• Online Visa Application: SDS application can only be done online, which means zero chances of missing documents. In contrast, non-SDS applications can be filled offline and this is a long process as well.
• Financial Stability: Because of GIC, candidates must hold a CAD 10,000 balance in their bank account to meet the daily expenses while living in Canada.

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.

SDS and Non SDS Colleges in Canada

Below mentioned are the top SDS and non-SDS universities in Canada:

SDS Colleges 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: Masters in Computer Science Masters in Data Science Master of Social Work MBA BSc in Nursing Average Fees / Year: CAD 50,000 - CAD 130,000
University of Waterloo #112	Located in: Waterloo, Ontario Popular Courses: Masters in Management Engineering Masters in Data Science Masters in Computer Science BA in Communication Studies Master of Management Science Average Fee / Year: CAD 40,000 - CAD 90,000
Seneca College #1572	Located in: Waterloo,Ontario Popular Courses: Masters in Management Engineering Masters in Data Science Masters in Computer Science BA in Communication Studies Master of Management Science Average Fee / Year: CAD 40,000 - CAD 90,000
Vanier College #4058	Located in: Toronto, Ontario Popular Courses: Diploma in Accounting Business Analytics Chemical Engineering Technology Liberal Arts Public Relations Average Fees / Year: CAD 15,000 - CAD 20,000
Columbia College #23	Located in: Vancouver Popular Courses: Diploma in Business Administration Communication Studies General Arts General Science Applied Science Average Fee / Year: CAD 16,500 - CAD 33,000

Non-SDS Colleges in Canada

Top non-SDS universities in Canada are listed below:

NON-SDS UNIVERSITIES	SPECIFICATIONS
University Canada West #123	Located in: Vancouver Popular Courses: Master’s of Business Administration Associate of Arts University Access Program Average Fee / Year: CAD 7,000 - CAD 20,000
University of Windsor #641-650	Located in: Windsor, Ontario Popular Courses: Honours Certificate in Electrical Engineering Honours Certificate in Civil Engineering Certificate in Applied Information Technology Average Fee / Year: CAD 19,500 - CAD 40,000
York University #353	Located in: Toronto, Ontario Popular Courses: Post-Graduate Certificate in Advanced Professional Accounting Post-Graduate Certificate in Business Administration Post-Graduate Certificate in CloudOps Post-Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security Operations Average Fee / Year: CAD 16,000 - CAD 20,000
King’s University College	Located in: London, Ontario Popular Courses: Advanced Course in Aviation Medicine King’s Product Management Career Accelerator King’s UX Design Career Accelerator Average Fee / Year: CAD 4,000 - CAD 10,000
Brock University	Located in: Ontario Popular Courses: Entertainment Academics Business Sports 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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Much Time Does the SDS Visa Processing Take?

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.

Which Is Better, an SDS or a Non-SDS Visa?

An SDS visa takes less processing time than a non-SDS visa. Also, the non-SDS visa is mainly designed for short-term courses.

Is GIC Needed in Non-SDS Visa?

In the case of a Non-SDS visa, a Guaranteed Investment Certificate is not compulsory.