Student Direct Stream priority rules

Summary#

These are new Ministerial Instructions for the Student Direct Stream Program under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that set the rules for which study permit applications get faster processing. They take effect January 1, 2024 and require specific upfront documents (including in‑person language tests and a Guaranteed Investment Certificate) for an application to be eligible for priority handling.

What it does#

• Defines the conditions a study permit application must meet to get "priority processing" through the Student Direct Stream (SDS).
• Limits SDS eligibility to applicants who are legal residents of:
  • Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam.
• Lists documents that must be provided when the application is filed, including:
  • an acceptance letter from a designated learning institution;
  • proof that first‑year tuition has been paid;
  • a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) equal to 75% of the low income cut‑off (LICO) for study outside Quebec (or the amount set by Schedule C of the Québec Immigration Regulation for study in Quebec);
  • a medical examination;
  • a police certificate;
  • recent secondary or postsecondary transcripts;
  • a language test result that meets the specified scores (see next bullet).
• Specifies accepted language tests and minimum scores (all four language abilities must meet the stated levels):
  • General tests: IELTS General, CELPIP General, TEF Canada, TCF Canada with results equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 for each ability.
  • Academic tests: IELTS Academic (minimum overall 6), CAEL (60), Pearson PTE Academic (60), TEF 5 épreuves (400), TCF - tout public (400), and TOEFL iBT (overall 83).
  • All accepted tests must be taken in person; online remotely proctored tests will not be accepted for SDS.
• Repeals earlier SDS Instructions signed May 12, 2023, effective January 1, 2024.
• Makes clear that applications received on or after the effective date that do not meet these conditions will not receive priority processing.

Who's affected#

• Prospective international students who are legal residents of the countries listed above and who want faster study permit processing through the Student Direct Stream (SDS).
• Designated learning institutions whose students use SDS may see quicker permit decisions for qualifying applicants.
• Applicants planning to study in Quebec must also meet Quebec’s financial rules and hold a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ).
• Applicants who cannot meet the new document or in‑person test requirements (for example, because an in‑person test is not available locally) will not qualify for SDS priority.

Why it matters#

• If you qualify and submit the required documents, your study permit application is intended to be processed faster than regular applications.
• The rules require more upfront proof (paid tuition, a GIC, specific test scores taken in person). That means applicants must prepare and pay earlier than they might otherwise.
• Students who can’t meet the new test or financial requirements will lose the chance at expedited processing and must use the regular study permit process.