Aug 30, 2019 – Canada is expanding the Student Direct Stream (SDS) for expedited Study Permit processing to include international students from Senegal and Morocco.

Study Permit applicants from the two new countries will have access to SDS, which features an average processing time of less than three weeks, from September 9, 2019.

Senegal and Morocco are the first African countries to be included under SDS. The other five countries included are all in Asia: China, India, Vietnam, the Philippines and Pakistan.

To qualify for the SDS, Applicants must live outside Canada at the time of application, pay their first year of tuition at a designated learning institution up front, purchase a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of at least $10,000, complete an up-front medical examination and police certificate (if required), and meet language requirements.

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Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said: “Canada’s diverse, welcoming society, high-quality educational institutions and opportunities to work or immigrate after graduation have made Canada a leading destination of choice for students from around the world.

“In expanding the Student Direct Stream to a more diverse range of prospective students, we’re enhancing the tremendous cultural, social and economic benefits that international students provide.”

By opening the SDS to Senegal and Morocco, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is hoping to attract more French speakers to study in Canada and stay after graduation.

It also supports Canada’s aim of attracting international students from a more diverse range of countries, announced earlier in August.

Of the 572,415 Canada Study Permit holders at the end of 2018, 55 per cent (or 315,610) came from India or China.

Now the federal government will look to attract more from other countries, by spending nearly $30 million per year on a new recruitment effort.

How Do I Qualify for the Student Direct Stream?

The SDS is available to candidates living in China, India, Pakistan, Philippines or Vietnam wishing to study in Canada at a post-secondary designated learning institution.

Applicants must submit up front proof of: 

• Tuition payment for the first year of study at a designated learning institution.
• Purchase of a Guaranteed Investment Certificate of $10,000,
• Completion of an upfront medical examination,
• Qualifying score of at least 6 for English (IELTS), or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens score of 7 for French (TEF), or graduation from a Canadian-curriculum high school.

New federal government figures show international students contribute $15.5 billion per year to the Canadian economy, supporting nearly 170,000 jobs in 2016.

At the end of 2018, there were 572,415 study permit holders in Canada. University enrolment alone increased by 15 per cent between 2017 and 2018, according to figures from Universities Canada.

Study Permit numbers have increased 180 per cent in the last decade, as successive governments have recognized the benefit to the Canadian economy of increasing international student levels.

A three-step process has been established in Canada targeting international students. First, they hold Study Permits while in full time education, second, they become eligible for a Post Graduation Work Permit, and third, they can use all the experience gathered to qualify for permanent residence.

It has made Canada one of the most attractive countries in the world for foreign students considering their study options.

Applicants from Senegal and Morocco will get access to a more efficient process for study permits

August 30, 2019 – Ottawa – Canada is making the Student Direct Stream (SDS) available to international students coming from Senegal and Morocco, starting September 9, 2019.

By providing fast, reliable processing of study permit applications, Canada is better equipped to compete in attracting the best and the brightest from around the world.

The more efficient SDS process was launched in 2018 for students applying from China, India, the Philippines and Vietnam, with an average processing time of less than 3 weeks.

As outlined in an OECD report released earlier this month, Canada is a top destination for students seeking both a high-quality international education and employment in their field of study once they graduate. With Canadian education credentials and skilled work experience in Canada, former international students are well positioned for success in applying for permanent residence through Express Entry.

In addition, since 2017, Express Entry candidates with strong French skills have been able to earn additional ranking points. This provides more opportunity for them to successfully transition to permanent residence and contribute to the vitality and growth of Francophone communities outside of Quebec.

Expanding this faster and more efficient application process to prospective students from Senegal and Morocco supports the Government’s Francophone Immigration Strategy to encourage more young French speakers to choose to study in Canada. 

Quotes

“Canada’s diverse, welcoming society, high-quality educational institutions and opportunities to work or immigrate after graduation have made Canada a leading destination of choice for students from around the world. In expanding the Student Direct Stream to a more diverse range of prospective students, we’re enhancing the tremendous cultural, social and economic benefits that international students provide.”

 – The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Quick facts

• The expansion of the SDS supports the Government’s goal of attracting students from a more diverse range of countries. This was identified as a priority in the new International Education Strategy for 2019 to 2024, launched earlier this month.
• In July 2019, the SDS also became available to prospective students from Pakistan.
• In 2018, nearly 54,000 former students transitioned to permanent residence, an all-time high.