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Student Direct Stream: Who can apply

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Eligibility requirements

You need an attestation letter to apply for a study permit

As of January 22, 2024, most students must include an attestation letter from the province or territory where they plan to study with their study permit application.

If you apply without an attestation letter your application will be returned unless you’re either

  • a minor child in a primary or secondary school (kindergarten to grade 12)
  • a student in a masters, PhD or other post-graduate program
  • a student applying to extend your study permit

Learn more about changes for international students.

To be eligible for faster processing through the Student Direct Stream (SDS), you must

Depending on where you’re applying from, you may also need to provide other documents. Make sure you include all the documents required by the visa office that processes your application.

We may ask you to give additional documents to support your application. In this case, your application will take longer to process.

Who isn’t eligible for the Student Direct Stream

If you live anywhere other than 1 of the countries listed above (even if you’re a citizen of one of the countries above), you must apply through the regular study permit application process.

If you live in another country (even if you’re a citizen of one of the countries above), or if you don’t meet the eligibility for faster processing, you may still be eligible for a study permit through the regular study permit application process.

Proof of full payment of tuition for the applicant’s first year of study

This may be in the form of the following:

Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)

A GIC is a Canadian investment that has a guaranteed rate of return for a fixed period of time. Many banks offer different types of GICs. The bank that gives you the GIC must

The GIC you get for the Student Direct Stream (SDS) must be held in an investment account or a student account and will be released to you when you arrive in Canada.

If your GIC doesn’t meet this criterion, you won’t be able to apply through the SDS.

The required SDS GIC amount depends on your intended province or territory of study.

For applicants intending to study outside Quebec
SDS applications received before January 1, 2024

You must have an SDS-eligible GIC amounting to CAN$10,000.

SDS applications received on or after January 1, 2024

You must have an SDS-eligible GIC amounting to CAN$20,635.

If you have family members accompanying you, you also need to prove that you meet the regular study permit financial requirements for each additional person.

For applicants intending to study in Quebec
SDS applications received before January 1, 2024

You must have an SDS-eligible GIC amounting to CAN$10,000.

SDS applications received on or after January 1, 2024

You must have an SDS-eligible GIC that meets the financial requirements outlined by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration for each person aged 18 and over.

Financial institutions that offer eligible SDS GICs

Make sure the financial institution and the type of GIC you choose meet the above criteria.

The following list includes financial institutions that may offer GICs that meet the SDS criteria. It is up to you to make sure the GIC you submit meets the SDS criteria.

If you’re a representative of a financial institution offering an SDS-eligible GIC product and would like to be on this list, please email IRCC.SDS-VDE.IRCC@cic.gc.ca.

Medical exams and police certificates

Depending on where you’re applying from, you may need to get a medical exam or police certificate. To get faster processing through the Student Direct Stream, you must include these with your application (if you need them). If you don’t, we won’t process your application faster.

Who needs a medical exam

You may need to get a medical exam if:

To get a medical exam, you must see a doctor that has been approved by IRCC.

Find out more about medical exams.

Who needs a police certificate

Your visa office instructions will tell you if you need to get a police certificate. You’ll find these instructions when you select your country of residence below. Make sure you read these instructions before you apply, so you know if you need a police certificate or any other documents to apply.

Find out more about police certificates.

Language tests

You must have a valid language test result that meets the minimum required score. Test results must be less than 2 years old when we receive your application. Tests must be taken in-person; online tests aren’t accepted.

If you applied before August 10, 2023

We only accept valid International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) language test results. Your language test result must show either of the following:

  • an IELTS score of 6 or higher in each language ability (listening, reading, writing and speaking)
  • a TEF score that is equivalent to a Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) score of at least 7 for each ability (listening, reading, writing and speaking). Check the CLB equivalencies for TEF scores
If you applied on or after August 10, 2023

You must submit the results from 1 of the valid language tests below that show all 4 language abilities were tested (speaking, listening, reading and writing).

You must take these language tests in their in-person format to be accepted for the SDS. Online tests will not be accepted.

  • Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test

    You need a CAEL Test minimum overall score of 60.

  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)

    You need a CELPIP score that is equivalent to a Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) score of 7 or higher for each ability. Check the CLB equivalencies for CELPIP scores.

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic

    You need an IELTS Academic minimum overall score of 6.

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General

    You need an IELTS general score that is equivalent to a Canadian Language Benchmarks score of 7 or higher for each ability. Check the CLB equivalencies for IELTS General scores.

  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic

    You need a PTE Academic minimum overall score of 60.

  • Test de connaissance du français (TCF) Canada

    You need a TCF Canada score that is equivalent to a Canadian Language Benchmarks score of 7 or higher for each ability. Check the CLB equivalencies for TCF Canada scores.

  • Test de connaissance du français (TCF) tout public

    You need a TCF tout public minimum overall score of 400.

  • Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) Canada

    You need a TEF Canada score that is equivalent to a Canadian Language Benchmarks score of 7 or higher for each ability. Check the CLB equivalencies for TEF Canada scores.

  • Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) 5 épreuves

    You need a TEF 5 épreuves minimum overall score of 400.

    Note: The Lexique/Structure ability isn’t required for SDS.

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT

    You need a TOEFL iBT minimum overall score of 83.

Bring your spouse or partner and children with you to Canada

Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children may also be able to get faster processing on a

You must complete and submit their applications at the same time as your own. If you don’t, we will not process their applications faster. When you apply online, indicate that you have family members coming with you to Canada. This lets you complete their applications with yours.

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