Student Direct Stream (SDS) vs. Non-Student Direct Stream (Non-SDS)
If you are looking forward to pursuing your higher education or a technical degree from Canada, such as a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree, you might end up spending time trying to figure out the difference between SDS and Non-SDS. Let’s have a look at what this is:
What is SDS?
In other words, the Student Direct Stream (SDS) is known as the Student Partner Program (SPP). An initiative generated by Canadian Immigration Services. As per the SDS criteria, student visa applications are processed quickly and directly if they are looking to study in Canada. However, you can only submit your SDS application using an online medium. Apart from this, students must meet certain requirements set by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada under the SDS category.
SDS visa requirements
As far as the SDS visa requirements are concerned, here are some points for you:
Language Proficiency Test
The language proficiency test is designed to test your ability to communicate in or adapt English. You need to qualify for an English Proficiency Test under the SDS category. Applicants have to appear for IELTS Academic or other tests accepted in Canada on behalf of IELTS. In each of the sections, you would need to score a minimum of 6.0 bands.
Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)
You have to deposit $100,000 (CAD) or more as a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC). This money helps ensure that you are secure in Canada and have enough additional resources to fund the extra expenses. You will get this money once you reach the country. Some of the banks that offer GIC include SCOTIA, ICICI, and SBI.
Passport
If you want to apply for a student visa in Canada, you must have a valid passport. If the date of the passport expires, your study permit, temporary resident visa (TRV), and any other type of document will not be issued by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Tuition Fee
It is mandatory for you to secure your admission and pay the entire tuition fee for the first year. If not, you can be denied the study visa.
Letter of Acceptance
The applicants, after the confirmation of the examination and payment of first-year tuition fees, received a letter of acceptance from the Designated Learning Institute (DLI), where they applied for their further education. Some of the colleges and universities are authorised as DLIs by the Canadian provincial and territorial governments.
Educational Documents
The applicant is entitled to submit all the previous academic certificates, achievements, and experiences that are genuine and complete. The documents may include the 10th certificate, 12th certificate, diploma, and graduation (if any).
Medical Examination
The applicant also needs to submit a document that will be validated as proof of a medical examination. The check-up will include a full-body examination.
Statement of Purpose
The Statement of Purpose (SOP) plays an extremely vital role in a student visa. An applicant has to draught a SOP for both SDS and non-SDS. It is more like an explanation sheet in which you have to briefly explain why you are choosing a particular course at the college in Canada.
Digital Picture
The applicant needs a digital picture to attach with the online application, and the picture has to be 80% zoom on a white background and 35X45.
What is non-SDS?
The Non-SDS (Non-Student’s Direct Stream) refers to a general category for the visa application to study in Canada. According to this approach, candidates who are not capable of meeting the SDS requirements get a chance to apply to study in Canada. The requirements will also be different, as more documents may be required under the non-SDS category.
Non-SDS Document Requirements for Visa Applications
Valid and authentic academic transcripts, including the 12th mark sheet, with a minimum score of at least 55% aggregate marks for undergraduate courses
For a bachelor's or undergraduate degree with an advanced diploma, applicants must have a minimum score of 50% or above to obtain postgraduate courses.
English proficiency test scores with IELTS of at least 6.0 for UG and an overall score of 6.5 in each module for PG are mandatory.
Acceptance letter from the colleges showing your details provided are right and participating under non-SDS is a must.
Proof of previous work experience and payslips from the last 3 months
Substantial proof of financial funds covering bank savings, student loans, investments, etc. should be attached with the application.
Income tax return documents, or Form 16, from either the candidate or the sponsor are a must.
A receipt for tuition fees should be attached.
Medical test certificates showing that the applicant is fit are a must.
Why choose SDS over non-SDS?
Now you have all the information about which is better between SDS and non-SDS, and it won’t be wrong if we say SDS is better, but why?
Here we have outlined the reasons why the SDS stream is considered better than the non-SDS stream for visa applications. Have a look at that:
Convenient Documentation Procedure:Under the SDS category, candidates don’t have to submit many documents to provide financial eligibility. Whereas in the non-SDS approach, the number of documents is greater.
Quick and secured Processing: The SDS approach is streamlined and simple as compared to non-SDS. The entire time duration takes around 45 days.
For more updates related to SDS or non-SDS, you can visit our website, growingglobaloverseaimmigration.com, or connect with our professionals anytime during business hours. We would be happy to serve you.
Comments