Canada has recently included 7 countries to the Student Direct Stream:
  • Brazil
  • Colombia
  • Peru
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Costa Rica
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Learn how to apply to study in Canada under this expedited pathway.
What is the Student Direct Stream (SDS)?
SDS is the faster stream IRCC uses to process study permit applications from international students living in an eligible country. It usually takes up to 20 days for study permit applications under the SDS to be processed.
Eligibility requirements:
  • Be legal resident living in one of the following countries:
    • Antigua and Barbuda
    • Brazil
    • China
    • Colombia
    • Costa Rica
    • India
    • Morocco
    • Pakistan
    • Peru
    • Philippines
    • Senegal
    • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
    • Trinidad and Tobago
    • Vietnam
  • Have an acceptance letter from a post-secondary designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada;
  • Live outside of Canada when applying;
  • If applying to study in Quebec, have a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration;
  • Have proof of payment of tuition fee for the first year of study;
  • Have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of $10,000 CAD;
  • get a medical exam before applying (if the applicant needs one);
  • get a police certificate before applying (if the applicant needs one);
  • have the most recent secondary or post-secondary school transcript(s);
  • have a language test result that shows either IELTS academic or general training minimum score of 6.0 in each skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening), or TEF score that is equal to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of at least 7 in each skill.
Depending on where you’re applying from, you may also need to provide other documents.
Spouse or common-law partners and dependent children are also eligible for faster processing under the SDS if their applications are submitted at the same time as the main applicant.
What is a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)?
A GIC is an investment with fixed period of time offered by many banks in Canada. For study permit applications under the SDS, the GIC and issuing institution need to meet specific criteria set by Canadian immigration:
The institution must:
  • issue a document confirming that the student bought a GIC;
  • hold the GIC in an investment account or a student account which the student can’t access until arriving in Canada;
  • make the student confirm identity before they release any funds; and
  • release the funds to the student by providing an initial lump sum upon arrival in Canada and the remainder of the funds in monthly or bi-monthly installments over 10 to 12 months.
Getting your GIC is simple. In most cases, the student is able to complete the process online.
Need help to apply for a GIC to study in Canada? We can assist you.
We provide complete assistance with your school and study permit applications. We have arrangement with more than a thousand educational institutions in Canada and can help you choosing the most suitable program according to your needs.