Study Direct Stream

Canada Student Permit Application Under the Study Direct Stream (SDS) – Starting June 16, 2017 in Manila Visa Office

The Canadian Embassy in Manila expects SDS to “speed up visa processing for full-time students attending universities and colleges in Canada.

” The SDS Program is supported by Scotiabank, a leading Canadian financial institution. Scotiabank will provide eligible students with the opportunity to purchase a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC), which will satisfy the financial statement requirements of the SDS program.

Whether applying through the Standard Processing or SDS, the student must submit a study plan, explaining the reason for the choice of the program with the authorized educational institution – and how completion of the academic program dovetails with his or her career plans.

How to qualify through SDS

The Canadian Embassy checklist for students applying for a program under SDS sets the following eligibility criteria:

  Admission to a full-time program in a publicly-funded post-secondary institution such as universities, colleges, institutes or CÉGÉP;
 An IELTS score with a minimum band of 6 for each ability (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking) taken within past two years;
 Purchase of a special Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from Scotiabank of CAD$10,000 for a single applicant; additional $4,000 for accompanying spouse and $3,000 for each accompanying dependent child to cover living expenses for the first year of stay in Canada;
 Proof of payment of the tuition fee for one (1) year; AND  Upfront medical examination at least one week before submission of the application.  Apply with the authorized Visa Application Centre.

Advantages of applying under SDS The major advantages of applying under SDS are:

 Streamlined visa process for all SDS eligible institutions.
 Less financial documentation.  Faster visa processing time

Difference between the Study Visa Regular Steam and Study Direct Stream

	Regular Stream	Study Direct Stream
Mode of Application	Paper or Online Application	Paper Application
IELTS	Optional	Mandatory (at least 6 in all areas)
Processing Time	60 days	30 days
Guaranteed Investment Certificate	Not needed	Required
Medical Examination	Upfront/Upon Request	Upfront
Tuition	Partial/Deposit will do	Full Payment for 1 year

Guaranteed funds for first year of study

International students are allowed to work part time (20 hours a week) and full time when school is off session. However, study permit applicants must not rely on this privilege (or being able to work) since inability to find employment could result in the student working more than studying.

The funds transferred to an authorized Canadian bank – in this case Scotiabank – ensures access to funds to the international student regardless of the financial ups and downs.

The Scotiabank Student GIC Program (SSGP) enables the student to “meet the requirements of the Citizenship and Immigration Canada guidelines and provides access to funds to help pay for living expenses while studying in Canada.” 

A study permit applicant may “purchase a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from Scotiabank for $10,000 Canadian dollars (CAD). A GIC is an investment account that offers a guaranteed interest rate over a fixed period of time. Other features of the GIC are: 

 $2,000 CAD plus any accrued interest will be deposited into the student’s personal bank account upon arrival in Canada. 

 Each month, for 12 months, the student receives a portion of the balance of the investment back, plus interest. 

 Student can use these funds to help pay for living expenses while studying in Canada.

 After 12 months, the student would have received the $10,000 CAD investment back  There is a $200 CAD fee for the SDS program.