Study Direct Stream lets Filipinos study in Canada more easily than ever!

What is the Study Direct Stream?

The Study Direct Stream (SDS) is a pilot program which launched in the Philippines in June 2017. The SDS program provides a streamlined process for study permit applicants by allowing them to apply for a study permit with less documentation. Instead of submitting the many financial documents required for a regular study permit application, the SDS process allows students to submit a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution.

Hopeful students applying through SDS will have their applications processed in 30 days! That’s half the processing time for regular study permit applicants.

A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) is an official document showing that a person has invested a certain amount of funds within a Canadian bank. All study permit applicants need to prove that they have the ability to financially support themselves while studying in Canada and the GIC is a great way to show this proof! SDS has partnered with Scotia Bank, one of Canada’s largest and most trusted banks, to help students meet this requirement. The amount required for a single person studying in Canada is around $10,000 CAD.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for SDS, students in the Philippines have to meet the following requirements:

• Be accepted to study at a publicly funded Canadian post-secondary school;
• Take a test to show intermediate proficiency in English or French (CLB 7);
• Secure a GIC from one of Canada’s participating banks;
• Pay the first year of tuition fees upfront; and
• Undergo a medical exam before submitting an application.

If you think you’ll be able to meet these requirements, SDS is a great option for you to study in Canada!

Is the study permit guaranteed?

No. SDS applications are still assessed to make sure that students meet all the requirements to study in Canada. If an application is incomplete or if a student has not met all the program requirements, the application could be refused. However, if the application is refused, the bank issuing the GIC will provide a full refund of the investment.

How do I apply?

If you are a citizen of the Philippines and you want to apply for a study permit through SDS, you must submit your application in hard-copy, by mail, to the Manila Visa Office! Up-to-date forms and checklists can always be found on the website for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

To find out if you’re eligible to become an international student in Canada, simply complete our free student assessment. Your answers will be assessed by one of our Educational Counsellors, who will contact you to discuss your options!

Sincerely,

Pacific Migration Team

www.pacificmigrates.com