The Canadian government has announced that it is expanding its Students Direct Stream (SDS) programme to international students from Pakistan enabling them to get student visa within 20 days.

Last year, the Canadian government had initiated the programme for the students from India, China, Philippines and Vietnam. Now, Pakistan has been included in the list of countries, under the SDS programme by the Canadian Immigration Department, a press release said.

"A study permit is not a visa. It does not, by itself, allow you to travel to or enter Canada. You may also need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). If you do, we'll issue it with your study permit," the Government of Canada said on its website.

High Commissioner of Pakistan to Canada Raza Bashir Tarar welcomed the decision of the Canadian government for inclusion of Pakistani international students into the programme as it would facilitate the students desiring to study in Canada.

He appreciated the goodwill gesture by the Canadian government and expressed gratitude to the special efforts of Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen and the members of the Canadian Parliament for fulfilling their commitment.

The high commissioner in his meetings with the Canadian officials had urged them to include Pakistani students in the SDS programme as academically Pakistani students were second to none.

"The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is now available to study permit applicants who are living in Pakistan," the press release stated, adding that most SDS applications from countries already part of the programme were being processed in under three weeks.

"SDS applications require prospective students to provide more up-front information to officers, including meeting language test requirements in English or French and providing additional information that shows their ability to finance their education. With additional information, officers can process applications more efficiently," it read.

According to the press release, the expansion of the SDS supported the Canadian government's "goal of attracting students from a more diverse range of countries".

"Many international students who graduate from a program in Canada often become eligible for a post-graduation work permit. With a Canadian education and skilled work experience in Canada, former international students are well positioned for success in applying for permanent residence through Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program or the Atlantic Immigration Pilot."

"In 2018, in fact, nearly 54,000 former students transitioned to permanent residence, an all-time high," the press release added.

Language requirements are stricter than for regular study permits. To qualify for the SDS, students needs to have a qualifying score of at least IELTS 6 for English or a 7 in the Niveaux the Compétence Linguistique Canadiens for French – or have graduated from a Canadian – curriculum high school.

In addition to this, students will need to submit proof of tuition payment for the first year of study in a designated learning institution in Canada, purchase of a Guaranteed Investment Certificate – a deposit in a bank account in Canada which guarantees a rate of return over a fixed period of time – and of a medical examination.

Canada’s Student Direct Stream application process at a glance

About the process

Depending on where you live, you may be able to get your study permit faster through the Student Direct Stream.

Canada tries to process most Student Direct Stream applications within 20 calendar days. However, some applications may take longer than this.

To get this faster processing, you must:

give your biometrics as soon as possible

meet all the eligibility requirements

A study permit is not a visa. It does not, by itself, allow you to travel to or enter Canada. You may also need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). If you do, we’ll issue it with your study permit.

Who can apply

To be eligible for faster processing through the Student Direct Stream, you must:

be a legal resident living in:

China

India

Pakistan

the Philippines or

Vietnam

have an acceptance letter from a post-secondary designated learning institution

prove that you’ve paid the tuition fees for your first year of study

live outside of Canada when you apply

have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAN$10,000

have a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion - This is only if you’re planning to study in Quebec

get a medical exam before you apply (if you need one)

get a police certificate before you apply (if you need one)

have your most recent secondary or post-secondary school transcript(s)

have a language test result that shows:

a score of 6.0 or higher in each skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening) on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or

a Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) score that is equal to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of at least 7 in each skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening)

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.

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