SDS Study Visa Canada

If you are from a country listed under SDS, your application will be processed faster than non-SDS applications. However, you still need to meet the visa requirements.

Students must submit proof of tuition fees paid for their first year of study. This includes bank receipts and DLI’s official confirmation of payment.

English Language Test

Students who want to avail SDS study Visa Canada must clear the language proficiency test. They can either take IELTS or PTE to demonstrate their language skills. However, they need to get a score of at least 6 bands in each module – listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Students also need to submit the acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). They must prove that they have paid their first-year tuition fees in full. The upfront medical examination is also required. This is usually conducted by a panel physician and involves a complete body check-up.

IRCC has recently announced that it will now accept PTE Academic in place of IELTS for SDS applicants. This is a huge step as it makes the process easier for students. Moreover, the iBT part of PTE can be taken from home, making it an ideal choice for students. Earlier, only IELTS and CAEL were eligible for this visa category.

Medical Examination

The medical examination is an essential part of the SDS study visa Canada process. It involves a complete physical exam and a background check. Moreover, it is important for those who want to fast-track their visa processing. Applicants must also submit a Statement of Purpose, which is a document that is meant to help the visa officer understand their background and motivation for the course.

Another important requirement is a proof of payment of the first year tuition fees from the DLI. Moreover, students must show a bank receipt that portrays their financial stability. They should also provide a full-body medical examination and digital photographs that are 35X45 with an 80% zoom on a white background.

Students must have a score of at least 83 in ETS PTE Academic, which assesses the four domains of language ability. This test is offered at more than 40 locations around the world. It costs about $330 CAD. Students who qualify for the SDS program will receive a letter of introduction and a temporary resident visa to enter Canada.

Tuition Fees

SDS is an expedited study permit process offered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for students who meet certain eligibility requirements. The program offers faster processing times than the regular study permit application process and includes a reduced number of required documents. Students must also have a valid passport and be legally residing in their country of residence at the time of application. Other requirements include an upfront medical examination, official transcripts from the student’s most recent secondary or post-secondary school and a police certificate.

If you have paid tuition fees through SDS, you can get proof of this on your Student Service Centre (SSC) account by navigating to “Financial Summary” and selecting “SDS Tuition Prepayment” under Transaction Record. If you make your payment by international funds transfer, the receipt may not show the "Approved" status but it will be considered a valid proof of payment. You should be able to see this on your SSC account within a few days of making the payment.

Police Certificate

Once you’ve submitted your application, your visa office will review it. They’ll want to make sure that you meet all the requirements of the program you’re applying for. This includes showing that you have enough money to pay your first year of tuition fees, set up a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) and cover living expenses for one year.

Depending on the program you’re applying for, you may need to submit police certificates. These are documents that show that you have no criminal record. You need them for each country you’ve lived in for more than six months. You also need them for your family members who are 18 years or older.

If you’re applying for Express Entry, you should apply for your police certificates in advance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). This way, you can submit them when you need to. This will save you time and avoid delays in your application process.