IELTSComparison of SDS and non-SDS Student visa applications for Canada Bound students
If they intend to study in Canada, students must be aware of the distinction between SDS
and Non-SDS visa applications. After the introduction of the SDS visa, Canadian universities
are more accessible to students. However, some pupils require additional time because they
are unaware of the distinction between SDS and Non-SDS visa applications. If you want to
know everything there is to know about the difference between SDS and non-SDS,
processing, success rate, etc., you’ve come to the right location!
SDS visa – The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is a fast track to study in Canada for students
from India, China, Peru, and other countries. If a student fulfils the SDS IELTS requirements,
they are eligible to apply for an SDS visa.
The application will be processed within 20 calendar days if all other requirements are met.
Once approved, the student may enrol in any DLI and begin their voyage.
Non-SDS visa – The Non-SDS is a general visa application procedure for study, employment,
and immigration in Canada. It is open to all nations. Candidates must meet the
requirements established for non-SDS visas. It is an alternative option for students who do
not meet the SDS visa requirements and wish to study in Canada.
Contents
- What distinguishes SDS visa applications from non-SDS visa applications?
- What exactly is an SDS visa?
- What are the criteria for obtaining an SDS visa?
- What is a Visa Non-SDS?
- What are the requirements for a visa that is not issued by the State Department?
- SDS visa has advantages over non-SDS visas.
- Conclusion
- FAQs
SDS VS NON SDS
SDS (Student Direct Stream) is an express-entry visa application for students to study in
Canada, whereas Non-SDS is a general visa application for all individuals to work, study, or
migrate in Canada. In addition, SDS applies only to certain countries, such as India, China,
Peru, etc., whereas Non-SDS applies to all nations.
What exactly is an SDS visa?
Student Direct Stream, also known as the Students Partner Programme (SPP), is abbreviated
as SDS. Students from certain countries who meet the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship
Canada (IRCC) requirements can apply online for an SDS visa and obtain study permits more
quickly. Successful candidates are permitted to bring along their spouse, companion, and
dependent children. If interested, they may petition for permanent residence (PR) in
Canada.
The SDS Canada visa is currently available only to legal residents who also reside in
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Brazil
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- India
- Morocco
- Pakistan
- Peru
- Philippines
- Senegal
- The nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
- Trinite et Tobago
- Vietnam
Depending on international agreements and the existing infrastructure, these nations may
alter in the future.
What are the criteria for obtaining an SDS visa?
Similar to other visas, the SDS Canada visa has a set of requirements for expeditious
application processing. Applicants who meet these requirements and submit valid
documents on time make the job of the immigration officer simpler.
What are the SDS visa requirements?
Let’s examine the SDS visa requirements one by one:
Test of Language Proficiency
Candidates must submit evidence of passing the International English Language Testing
System (IELTS) test of English proficiency.
Students can choose between IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.
IELTS module scores of 6.0 (for UG) and 6.5 (for PG) are required in listening, reading,
writing, and speaking.
The validity of the IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) score is two years. The IELTS test result will
not be recognised if it has expired.
For French, a minimal score of 7 on the Test d’Evaluation de Français (TEF), which is
equivalent to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB), is required.
Passport
To initiate the application procedure for an SDS visa, you need a valid passport.
Ensure that your passport is valid. If yes, then immediately renew it.
Upon verification of your passport, you are eligible for a study permit, temporary resident
visa (TRV), and numerous other visas.
Identification Documents
In addition to a passport, the candidate must provide another form of identification. It may
be an Aadhaar card, driver’s licence, voter identification card, or pan card.
To demonstrate that you are not only a citizen of a country, but also a permanent resident,
you must present identification.
Form for Family Information [IMM 5645]
A family information form includes your exact name, date of birth, marital status, and
relationship to you.
Visa officers in Canada will evaluate the information and determine whether to grant
temporary residency.
The data will be gathered in accordance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
This information may be shared with other federal agencies, law enforcement agencies, and
Canadian medical practitioners for the purposes of establishing identity, eligibility, and
admissibility.
GIC – Guaranteed Investment Certificate
A GIC is a Canadian Investment that retains your $10,000 in Canadian funds for daily
expenses.
A domestic bank must provide GICs, including
i . Attestation letter
ii . A GIC certificate
iii . A Confirmation of Investment Directions or a Confirmation of Investment Balance.
Various banks like Royal Bank of Canada, ICICI Bank, SBI Canada Bank, CIBC, and Scotia Bank
offer GICs to customers.
The bank maintains the funds in an investment account or student account until the
applicant arrives in Canada.
After entering Canada, the applicant’s identity will be verified by the bank.
Upon successful identification, the applicant obtains a $ 2,000 CAD initial payment. The
remaining funds will be distributed monthly or bimonthly over a 10- to 12-month period.
Tuition Cost
International pupils are required to pay tuition in full for the first year.
It is essential to maintain
i . the receipt from the bank, and
ii . a formal letter from the academic institution confirming payment of tuition fees.
Acceptance Letter (LOA)
To study in Canada, a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Designated Learning Institution
(DLI) is required.
A pupil must submit an application to one of the Designated Learning Institutions after
conducting extensive research. If the application satisfies the institution’s requirements, the
student will receive an Acceptance Letter.
DLI oversees all primary and secondary schools in Canada. At the post-secondary level,
however, only DLI-approved institutions can accept international students for degree
programmes.
Educational Materials
The student must produce all educational records from 10th grade, 12th grade,
undergraduate (UG) degree, etc.
The student may also submit any diploma course certificates or postgraduate (PG) degrees
earned through distance learning.
Experience Documents
Students who have previously worked, are presently employed, or are serving their notice
period are required to submit their work experience documents or proof of work
experience.
The documents related to employment experience include the following:
i . Appointment letter
ii . Acceptance letter for resignation from your employer
iii . pay stubs for the past six months
iv . Relieving letter
v. Reference letter (if applicable)
vi . Letter of promotion (if any)
vii . Any other document deemed pertinent.
Report of Medical Examination
Applicants for an SDS visa who have resided or travelled for six (6) months in one of the
designated countries are required to submit a medical examination report.
Only students from China, India, the Philippines, and Vietnam were designated countries
when SDS was launched in 2018. It included Pakistan, Morocco, and Senegal in 2019. Now,
there are fourteen countries on the list.
If the field of study requires a medical examination report, the candidate is required to
submit one.
The examination report comprises a complete physical examination.
If the physician provides the medical report in an electronic format, it is acceptable to
submit a printout.
Statement of Objectives (SOP)
SOP, also known as a Statement of Purpose, is a 1000-1500 word essay that describes the
academic, professional, and other relevant experiences of the candidate.
The applicants must explain why they chose a particular concentration, degree, or college,
as well as their goals.
Before composing, please review some sample statements of purpose (SOP) to gain clarity.
Digital Picture
Canada does not compromise in a candidate’s photograph. Therefore, they issued stringent
instructions to be followed.
The photograph must include a frontal view of the entire cranium and the top of the
shoulders. The visage should be placed in the centre.
Minimum frame dimensions are 35 mm x 45 mm (1 38″ x 1 34″).
Explain these instructions to the photographer attentively in order to achieve perfection.
The candidate must submit two passport-sized photographs. The digital photo cannot be
larger than 4 MB.
Remember that photographs that do not satisfy the specified requirements will be rejected.
Visa Application Fees for SDS
The application charge for an SDS Visa begins at $150 CAD (11,000 INR), while the biometric
fee is $85 CAD.
SDS Visa Success Rate
Those who believe SDS Visa is ineffective must examine its success rate. In less time, the SDS
visa approval rate averages between 75 and 85 percent.
Most international students who wish to study in Canada choose the SDS Visa because the
application procedure can be completed in 20 days.
Insufficient Applications
Applications that are incomplete will not be approved by the immigration office.
If the application fee is missing or incorrectly inputted, the application will not be processed.
If the biometric fee is lacking, the immigration officer is required to collect it as soon as
possible.
Requirements and Eligibility for SDS
As you are aware, the first requirement for eligibility is a score of at least 6.0 band (for UG)
and 6.5 band (for PG) in each of the four skills. Students can choose between IELTS
Academic and IELTS General Training since both are accepted.
Students who must complete a prerequisite course or bridge programme prior to enrolling
in the main programme are eligible to apply for an SDS visa. However, it must be included in
the acceptance letter. As a precaution against Covid-19, you must be thoroughly immunised
against the disease (two doses) before entering Canada.
Family members of petitioners for a study permit under the SDS
You need not worry about abandoning your spouse or children behind. Under the SDS visa,
the applicant may bring along their spouse and dependent children. They need only submit
an online application for the impermanent residence of their accompanying family
members.
What is a Visa Non-SDS?
Non-SDS (Student Direct Stream) is an open-category visa for temporary residence,
employment, and study in Canada that accepts applications from around the world.
Students who did not qualify for an SDS visa apply here with additional supporting
documentation. The application can be submitted either online or offline, along with the
application fee and biometric charge.
SDS visas have a higher approval rate than non-SDS visas because the SDS category only
accepts online applications and processes them more quickly.
What are the requirements for a visa that is not issued by the State Department?
Is it tedious to search for “Non-SDS Canada requirements 2023”? Here you will find the most
recent information regarding Non-SDS Visa requirements.
Test of Language Proficiency
In order to study, work, or immigrate to Canada, the candidate must submit a language test
score.
Students can study in Canada with either TOEFL or IELTS scores.
For immigration purposes, only IELTS scores are accepted.
Since the IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) is valid for two years, students should submit their
scores as soon as possible.
Passport
As you are aware, a passport is an official document that identifies you as a citizen of a
specific nation. A valid passport is required for Non-SDS visa applications.
If your passport has expired, you should renew it before it’s too late.
GIC – Guaranteed Investment Certificate
Non-SDS visa processing does not require a guaranteed investment certificate (GIC).
Under GIC, a Canadian Investment maintains a $10,000 CAD fund in advance to cover
Canadian living expenses.
Under non-SDS, the applicant can provide evidence of liquid funds without GIC.
Proof of liquid funds includes Income Tax Returns, Form – 16, J-Forms, GPF, and, most
importantly, a bank statement to demonstrate financial stability.
Form for Family Information [IMM 5645]
The applicant must submit a family information form [IMM 5645] as part of the application
procedure.
It includes information such as name, date of birth, marital status, current address, etc.
The Canadian visa officers will determine whether to grant temporary residency based on
the provided information.
The data will be gathered in accordance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Tuition Cost
Under the non-SDS category, the student must pay the designated learning institution (DLI)
in Canada the tuition fee for the first six months.
Following payment, the student must transport
i . The bank receipt indicating payment of tuition fees.
ii . A formal letter confirming receipt of payment from the educational institution.
Acceptance Letter (LOA)
For further study in Canada, a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institute
(DLI) is required.
An application must be submitted to one of the DLIs. After a thorough evaluation of the
application, the college/university will issue an acceptance letter.
A Designated Learning Institute (DLI) is an educational institution that has been designated
by a Canadian province or territory to teach international students.
Educational Materials
A candidate must submit academic credentials in order to study, work, or migrate in
Canada.
Academic documents include your 10th and 12th grade diplomas, as well as your
undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Additional documents such as diploma courses, distance learning, etc., can also be included.
Make sure all your educational documents are genuine.
Experience Documents
Applicants who have worked for at least one company in the past or who are currently
employed must provide relevant documentation as evidence of work experience.
The documents related to employment experience include the following:
i . Appointment letter
ii . Acceptance letter for resignation from your employer
iii . pay stubs for the past six months
iv . Relieving letter
v . Letter of reference (if any)
vi . Letter of promotion (if any)
Report of Medical Examination
Candidates for a non-SDS visa are required to submit a recent medical examination report.
Applicants may submit to a medical examination after receiving a request from IRCC.
After receiving a request from IRCC, make an appointment with a panel physician in your
area and provide the physician with the medical request letter.
The panel physician will submit your report directly to the IRCC following the medical exam.
The IRCC will authorise the Medical Examination Report following a comprehensive review.
Statement of Objectives (SOP)
Each institution requires a candidate’s SOP, or statement of purpose, for screening
purposes.
It is an essay-style response in which students explain in 1000-1500 words why they wish to
pursue a particular course by describing their objectives, relevant experiences, and (if
applicable) anecdotes.
There are numerous samples and templates available for use online.
Digital Picture
Canada provides guidelines for obtaining a valid passport photograph.
The photo must include a frontal view of the entire head, the tops of the shoulders, and the
visage in the centre.
The optimal frame dimensions are 35 mm x 45 mm (1 38″ x 1 34″). Please first describe
these instructions to the photographer.
The candidate must submit two passport-sized photographs. The dimension of the digital
image does not exceed 4 MB.
If any of the requirements are not met, the passport photo will be rejected.
Fees for Non-SDS Visa Applications
The application cost for a non-SDS Canada visa is comparable to the application fee for an
SDS visa. The fee for biometrics is $85 CAD. For more information, you can consult the
official website for Canadian immigration.
Percentage of Non-SDS Visa Successful Applications
Non-SDS visas have a much lower success rate than SDS visas.
Advantages of SDS Visa over Non SDS visa
Less Processing Time – Compared to other visa applications to Canada, SDS visas are
processed in 20 days, saving a substantial quantity of time.
Less Documentation – Since GIC is required and encompasses the majority of information
the officer requires, it reduces the applicant’s documentation burden.
Online Application – Only online applications are accepted for SDS visas. To make the
application process paperless and efficient, Canada only accepts applications submitted
online. It eliminates the risk of occasional document loss.
Ensures Financial Stability – According to the SDS, the candidate must have $10,000 CAD to
cover daily expenses while in Canada. Eventually, it enables the individual to sustain
financially under any conditions.
Higher Success Rate – When comparing the success rates of SDS and Non-SDS visas, SDS
fares better. As Canada receives millions of applications annually, the conversion rate for
SDS applicants is between 75 and 85 percent, which is higher than other visa categories.
Access to More Institutions – All international colleges and universities fall under DLIs, where
students have direct access to those institutions and can pursue a degree that best serves
them.
Conclusion
Canada, the land of opportunity, attracts millions of international travellers, students, and
workers. In this regard, Canada has provided a Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa to certain
countries in order to expedite and streamline the application process for international
students. Since then, students who desire to study in Canada frequently apply for study
permits under the SDS category and easily gain admission to one of the country’s top
universities.
Rely on the experts for your Canada university and college applications and Canada student
visa applications. Call us at Ever Aspire Consulting: +918657454590