Canada Student Visa: Apply for SDS and Non-SDS Student Visas

One can accelerate the process of obtaining a Canada student visa through an SDS visa. The majority of SDS Canada visa applications are processed in 20 business days. For an SDS visa, it is mandatory to take one of these tests: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, CAEL, and CELPIP.

Only students from certain countries can apply for an SDS visa. The SDS visa success rate in Canada is 71%. You must legally reside in these countries to become eligible for an SDS visa:

• Antigua and Barbuda

• Brazil

• China

• Costa Rica

• India

• Morocco

• Pakistan

• Peru

• Philippines

• Senegal

• Saint Vincent and Grenadines

• Trinidad and Tobago

• Vietnam

If you're not a legal resident of the above-listed countries, you can apply for a Canada student visa through a non-SDS visa. You are required to have SDS GIC eligibility, which amounts to CAD$20,635. Further, A student should also have a letter of acceptance from their university. Moreover, LOA is granted to students after they submit the fees for 1st year.

If a student cannot fulfil the requirements for an SDS visa, they can apply for a non-SDS visa. The process timing for a non-SDS visa is generally two months. The acceptance rate of non-SDS visas is lower than for SDS visas. For a Non-SDS visa success rate is 40%.

If the student is applying for a non-SDS visa, a student can take any English proficiency test like Duolingo, PTE, TOEFL, and IELTS. Unlike an SDS visa, a student must not pay total fees for the first year to apply for a non-SDS visa.

Moreover, students do not need GIC; they can show proof of funds to become eligible for a study permit through a non-SDS visa. A student can show proof of funds through ITS or bank statements. 

Now that you know about SDS and non-SDS visa and their relevant success rate, let us learn how to apply for a Canada student visa.

The application process for a study permit in Canada is carried out through an online channel. Getting help from experienced counsellors can help the student in many ways. Professional counsellors ease the Canada visa process with appropriate guidance. They also enrich students' SOPs and help them gather all necessary documents. You must follow the process mentioned below to obtain a Canada student visa:

• Shortlist your university: Students should clearly understand their goals. They should have it clear at which university they have to study. Along with this, students should also have clarity about the course they want to pursue.

• Documentation: The student should have all the necessary documents and apply to the university.

• Offer letter: After the acceptance of the application, the student receives an offer letter from the university.

• Fees: The student's seat is confirmed after they submit fees to the college. Total fees of 1st year if a student is applying for an SDS visa. If a student is applying for non-SDS, they can also submit fees for a single semester. After successfully submitting fees, the student receives a letter of acceptance from their university. This letter confirms their seat at the university.

• Guaranteed Investment Certificate: The student needs proof of GIC of CAD10,000 to obtain a Canada student visa. GIC serves as proof of a student's living expenses in Canada.

• Medical: If you want to apply for a student visa Canada, then medical upfront is mandatory. A panel physician from Canada does the medical examination for applicants.

One can lodge a visa application after fulfilling all these Canada student visa requirements. After the successful application, a student has to appear for a biometric test. Student Visa Canada costs around the sum of CAD235. The Canada student visa application fee is CAD150, and the biometric fee is CAD85.

Once the student has cleared the eligibility criteria, they can get their study permit in Canada and Canada student visa. Many students take one of their family members with them to Canada. In this case, family members must simultaneously apply for their visa as the applicant. Further, the family member can apply for a temporary residence permit for work or study.

The documents required for a Canada student visa need to be submitted during the time of application. Here is a list of documents. See below for details:

Letter of Acceptance is one of the most vital documents to apply for a Canada student visa. The letter contains the Designation Learning Institution number, which helps them verify the school in Canada.

Proof of Finances: The documents required to show your funds or the ability to bear your expenses. The financial documents are essential to acquire a Canada student visa and get admission to a recognised university. 

Here is a list of funds that can be submitted to prove your finances:

• Canadian bank account

• A student loan or education loan

• Bank draft

• Letter from a person or school that has provided you with funds

• Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) 

• Bank statements for the past 4 months

• Proof of paid tuition and housing fee

• Proof of funding paid from within Canada

Minimum Funds required to acquire a Canada Student Visa: The minimum bank balance for a Canada student visa also depends upon the province you stay in, Quebec or outside of Quebec.

The table below shows the minimum bank balance required to get a Canada student visa (in Quebec).

The table below shows the minimum bank balance required to get a Canada student visa (Outside Quebec):

Valid Passport: You require a passport whose validity covers the period of your stay in Canada to apply for a Canada student visa.

Passport Size Photo: You must attach two passport-size photos with the documents and mention your name and date of birth.

Statement of Purpose: It is a personal statement of the student who wants to be admitted to a university in Canada. Your academic qualifications and financial and personal details are mentioned in this letter of explanation.

In summary, to study in Canada, you require a visa, and Canada student visa are of two types: SDS and non-SDS visas. However, the SDS visa success rate is 71%, while the non-SDS visa success rate is 40%. Also, It is mandatory to clear one of the English proficiency exams, like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, CAEL, and CELPIP, for an SDS Canada visa.

You can take any English Proficiency test for a Non-SDS visa, as mentioned in the blog. Also, when you apply for the Canada student visa, you must follow the Canada study visa process step by step. You will become eligible to obtain a Canada student visa once you complete it and submit all the required documents.

Want to get into the top universities in Canada but don't know where to start? Contact the experienced career guides of Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). You can also take free online counselling through our website.We are here to help you choose the best university and assist you with a Canada Student Visa and Study Permit in a minimum time. Contact us at our toll-free number 1800-1230-00011 or mail us at application02@meridean.org.

Q. What are the Canada student visa document requirements?

A: Here are the documents you need to submit to acquire a Canada student visa:

• Letter of Acceptance

• Proof of Finances

• Minimum Funds required to acquire a Canada Student Visa

• Valid Passport

• Passport Size Photo

• Statement of Purpose

Q. What is the cost of a Canada student permit?

A: The cost of a student visa Canada is approximately CAD 150, and the fee also depends on your country or the university you opt for.

Q. Is it mandatory to take the English Proficiency Test?

A: The test scores are mandatory if you are a non-native English speaker. Moreover, an IELTS score is mandatory for an SDS visa, but you can take any English proficiency test for a non-SDS visa.

Q. What is a band score required to study in Canada?

A: The band score required for post-graduate courses is 6-6.5. However, the IELTS score required for -undergraduate programs is 5.5 to 6.