A Complete Comparison: SDS and Non-SDS Canada Visa Applications

One of the most demanded places to study in the world is Canada. The country always stays in high demand because of the education quality, lifestyle, and numerous opportunities it provides students. But to visit Canada, a student must require a Canada student visa. There are two types of visas: SDS and non-SDS Canada visas. These are the common visas a student requires to visit the country for study purposes. What are SDS and non-SDS? You do not have to worry about it; we have covered everything in this blog. By reading this blog, an individual will learn the two required types of visas and the process of SDS visa Canada applications and non-SDS visa Canada applications. So please only go somewhere and scroll down to get complete knowledge about it.

What is an SDS visa?

The SDS (Student Direct Stream) Canada visa category provides a streamlined (smooth) student visa application process and faster processing times. Still, you must fulfil all the requirements for a student visa. All DLIs (Designated Learning Institutes) are eligible under SDS Canada Category. The main purpose of an SDS visa is to reduce the time taken to obtain a study permit for countries like India, China, the Philippines, etc.

SDS visa Canada applications

To apply for an SDS visa in Canada applications, students must have-

• Proof of Valid English Language test completed within two years of the SDS receiving an IELTS score of 6 or higher in English Language skills Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. Also other exams like PTE TOEFL have been added so the student has a number of English proficiency tests to choose from.
• Proof of GIC Certificate (A certificate created during applying for the visa; GIC means enough money in the student account to support their stay in Canada. The minimum amount to get GIC created is CAD 10,000+ administrative charge which is applied by the bank when GIC is created; the charge may vary from 150 CAD to 250 CAD)
• Proof of a Full year of tuition fee payment
• Letter of Acceptance from a DLI Institute
• Most Recent Secondary or PostSecondary Educational Transcript
• Proof of Completion of upfront Medical Examinations. (The panel Physician authorised by IRCC accepts Medical Certificate)

SDS category visa checklist

• Student form (IMM 1294e) from the IRCC website
• Recent education Transcript (10th, 12thBachelors’s, and work experience in a single pdf)
• Passport
• Letter of acceptance
• Digital Photo (420 *540 mm)
• Family form (IMM5707)
• IELTS score of overall 6.0 with no minimum score required for Individual subjects is required + SOP.
• Official Tuition fee receipt
• GIC certificate
• E-Medical Certificate
• Proof of funds (Financial not mandatory but recommended for EG- ITR, FD, etc.)

NOTE:  If the Student is below 18, then Birth Certificate is also mandatory.

What is a non-SDS visa?

Another way to apply to study in Canada is through the Non-SDS, usually called the General Category. Students who cannot meet the SDS visa criteria can apply through the Non-SDS Canada program. To simplify it, a non-SDS is a visa that a student applies for when they do not meet the requirements of the SDS, as mentioned earlier. This also means that the visa application process will take normal processing time, which can vary depending on the student’s country and the number of visa applications the Canadian immigration authorities have received.

Documents required for a non-SDS visa in Canada applications

The client must submit various documents when applying for a visa, as stated on the IRCC website. These include the completed student form (IMM1294), evidence of work requirements during studies, a valid passport, a letter of acceptance from the college and university a digital form. Additionally, the client must provide the family form (IMM5707) and Proof of funds, such as financial documents like income tax returns or fixed deposits. Language proficiency test results, like IELTS and PTE, are also required. A complete medical certificate, academic and work experience documentation, and a well-written statement of purpose are also essential.

What is the difference between SDS and non-SDS?

Thе kеy diffеrеncеs bеtwееn SDS and non-SDS Canada visas arе as follows: SDS is only availablе for sеlеctеd countriеs, whilе non-SDS is opеn to all countriеs. SDS rеquirеs mееting thе minimum languagе scorе dеmandеd by authoritiеs, whilе non-SDS allows for lowеr languagе scorеs. SDS rеquirеs proof of first tuition fееs and living еxpеnsеs, whilе non-SDS may rеquirе Proof of funds for thе еntirе stay. SDS visas take around 15-30 days to process, while non-SDS visas take 30-45 days. It is important to note that rеquirеmеnts may vary, so students should consult thе еducational institution and thе Govеrnmеnt of Canada’s wеbsitе for thе latеst information.  

Which is Canada’s most opted student visa for Indian students, SDS or non-SDS?

The choice between SDS and non-SDS visas depends upon an individual’s circumstances and the requirements mentioned by the immigration authorities of Canada. It is very hard to tell which visa is more opted for by Indian students for Canada as Indians fall under both types of visa categories, so it is really hard to determine.

Conclusion

As we discussed, SDS and non-SDS are the two types of Canadian visas available for students. In contrast, non-SDS is more common as the SDS category is only available for 14 selected countries. SDS and non-SDS Canada visas require the same type of documents and only differ by the score requirements provided by the IRCC. Through this blog, we looked into procedures for SDS Canada visa applications and non-SDS Canada visa applications. This blog was helpful and provided answers regarding Canada student visas.