What are SDS colleges in Canada? Canadian Immigration Authorities in alliance with Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) have launched in 2018 a new initiative called SDS. SDS for overseas students of certain countries, including India, to help them enhance their skills and grab their dream job in Canada. SDS stands for Student Direct Stream and helps with early approval of Canada student visa. It is a method that fastens the process of acquiring study permits in Canada, allowing students to pursue their full-time Postgraduate course from any of the designated learning institutions(DLI). DLI also known as SDS Colleges or Universities, are those institutions which are authorized to give admission to international students. Canada study permit visa is approved within 25 working days, provided that the applicant fulfills all the eligibility criteria. One of the most important criteria that is taken into consideration while approving your SDS Canada visa is the country of your residence.

Why Choose Student Direct Stream?

Universities offering applicants with study in Canada opportunities have high ranks which are offered by QS university rankings and are recognized globally. Here are the SDS category colleges in Canada listed below:

  • Less Documentation - Aspiring candidates are required to go through a very simple and lesser documentation process as compared to Non-SDS college. Candidates need to submit only their IELTS score and GIC as important documents for study permit visa through Student Direct Stream.
  • Faster Process - The process of getting Study Permit Visa through SDS scheme is very simple and faster. If an applicant meets all the eligibility criteria accurately, then it takes around 45 days or less to approve the study permit visa.

Who Can Apply to SDS Colleges in Canada?

Mentioned below are some of the countries whose students can apply for SDS colleges in Canada -

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Brazil
  • China
  • Columbia
  • Costa Rica
  • India
  • Morocco
  • Pakistan
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Senegal
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Vietnam

List of SDS colleges in Canada

Canadian universities rankings are credited based on criteria like; academic reputation, research output, and student satisfaction. Mentioned below are the best SDS colleges in Canada that overseas students can opt for -

College Intake Language Criteria
Centennial College – Toronto, Ontario Jan, May, Sep Minimum IELTS 6
CEGEP College – Montreal, Quebec Jan, May, Sep Minimum IELTS 6
Eastern Shore School Board – New Carlisle, Quebec Jan, May, Sep 6.5 with not less than 6.0
Eton College – Vancouver, British Columbia Jan, May, Sep Minimum 5.5
Sault College -Ste. Marie, Ontario Jan, May, Sep Overall 6.0 with not less than 5.5
Toronto Film School – Toronto, Ontario Jan, May, Sep 6.0 with not less than 5.5
Medicine Hat College – Medicine Hat, Alberta Jan, May, Sep Overall 5.5
Seneca College – Toronto, Ontario Jan, May, Sep Minimum 6.0
Capilano University – Vancouver, British Columbia Jan, May, Sep Minimum 6.0
Niagara College – Niagara, Ontario Jan, May, Sep Minimum 6.0
Herzing College – Montreal, Quebec Jan, May, Sep Minimum 6.0
LaSalle College – Montreal, Quebec Jan, May, Sep 6.5 with no band less than 6.0
Lakeland College – Lloydminster, Alberta Jan, May, Sep Minimum 6.0
Northern Lights College –Dawson Creek, British Columbia Jan, May, Sep 6.0 Minimum
Cambrian College – Toronto & Brampton, Ontario Jan, May, Sep 6.0 Minimum
Saskatchewan Polytechnic- Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Jan, May, Sep 6.0 with not less than 5.5 (5.5 accepted in one module)
College of the Rockies – Cranbrook, British Columbia Jan, May, Sep 6.5 with not less than 5.5
CDI College Montreal Quebec Jan, May, Sep 6 Minimum
University of Windsor – Windsor, Ontario Jan, May, Sep Overall 6.5

Eligibility Criteria For SDS Colleges In Canada

Applicants can also find cheapest public universities in Canada in terms of tuition fee or scholarships in Canada for international students. Some of the major eligibility criteria that an Indian student must consider while applying to any of your selected SDS Colleges in Canada are listed below -

  • English language proficiency score - A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or above is mandatory for almost all UG, PG and Diploma courses.
  • Letter of Acceptance - Applicants must possess a letter of acceptance from the SDS College they want to pursue their further studies.
  • The university or college to which you are applying must be a member of Designated Learning Institutions and possess a registration number.
  • Valid Passport
  • Academic Transcripts from all previously attended institutions
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Proof of Tuition Fee Payment
  • Recent copy of Medical Certificate of the applicant
  • Guaranteed Investment Certificate - Applicants must pay a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAD 10,000 or more. This Certificate guarantees your security in Canada and your ability to fulfill additional expenses through funding. The certificate will be issued to you as soon as you arrive in Canada.

Banks that issue GIC in India -

  • Scotia Bank
  • ICICI Bank
  • SBI Bank
  • HSBC Bank of Canada
  • Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

Application Procedure

International students seeking to receive a Canadian study permit through SDS have to go through the process in an online mode. Canada student visa is must for enrollment in universities in Canada for desired intakes in Canada. Mentioned below is a brief overview of the application procedure -

  • Aspiring candidates must wisely choose any of the SDS College that aligns with their interest and career goals.
  • Secondly, Applicants must fill up the application form, followed by paying the fees and submitting the application.
  • After paying the required fee, the applicants must have to submit the recent medical report or certificates.
  • Once the fee and the medical reports are submitted and all the other eligibility criteria are fulfilled successfully, the study permit visa gets approved within a short span of time.
  • However, if the eligibility criteria are not fulfilled properly, then the study permit visa is considered as a regular one and not under SDS. Under such a case, the study permit visa takes a longer time to be processed.

Average Annual Fee In Canada

Given Below are the annual tuition for the programs offered in Canada

  • Diploma: 15000 CAD (Approx.)
  • Undergraduate Degree: 35000 CAD (Approx.)
  • Graduate Diploma: 18000 CAD(Approx.)
  • MS in Canada: 40000 CAD (Approx.)

SDS Vs non SDS Colleges in Canada

Here is the comparison table for SDS and Non-SDS visa list.

SDS Visa Non SDS Visa
Lesser Documents Required More Documents Required
Processed within 20 days on average Processed within 2 to 3 months
GIC Compulsory GIC is Not Compulsory
ELP score Accepted IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Accepted
Tuition Fees to be paid for 1 year Tuition Fees may be paid for 6 months
Higher Success Rate Comparatively, Less Success Rate

Thus, the SDS scheme has been a pleasant shift for many overseas students who aspire to study in Canada by significantly decreasing the amount of documentation required for the Canadian Study Permit and other formal processes that a student must go through.

FAQs

Ques. What is SDS?

Ans. SDS stands for "Study Direct Stream." It is a streamlined study permit application process for international students from select countries applying to colleges in Canada.

Ques. Which countries are eligible for SDS?

Ans. As of my last update in September 2021, the SDS program was available for students from India, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Please verify the latest information on the official Canadian government website.

Ques. What are the benefits of applying through SDS?

Ans. Applying through SDS offers faster processing times, a simplified application checklist, and increased chances of a successful study permit application, provided all requirements are met.

Ques. Can I apply to any college under SDS?

Ans. No, you can only apply to colleges designated by the Canadian government as eligible for SDS. Ensure the college you're interested in is on the list before applying.

Ques. Do I need to take an English language test for SDS?

Ans. Yes, you need to provide proof of English language proficiency by taking an approved test like IELTS, TOEFL, or other options. The score requirements vary based on your chosen program and college.

Ques. What financial documents are required for SDS?

Ans. You will need to show proof of sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees, living expenses, and return transportation. This requirement aims to ensure you can support yourself during your studies in Canada.

Ques. Is a medical exam necessary for SDS application?

Ans. A medical exam is usually not required when applying through SDS, unless the college program you're enrolling in specifically requires one.

Ques. Can I work while studying under SDS?

Ans. Yes, SDS students are eligible to work up to 20 hours per week during their academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks, like summer holidays.

Ques. What if my SDS application is refused?

Ans. If your SDS application is refused, you can reapply through the regular study permit application process. Ensure you address the reasons for refusal and provide any additional information requested.

Ques. Can I apply for a study permit under SDS from within Canada?

Ans. No, you must apply for a study permit under SDS from outside Canada. If you're already in Canada with a valid status, you can apply to extend your study permit through the regular process.?