Student Direct Stream priority rules

Summary#

These are new ministerial instructions under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that set the rules for which study permit applications get faster handling through the Student Direct Stream (SDS). The instructions take effect January 1, 2024 and require certain documents — notably in-person language test results — for an application to get priority processing.

What it does#

• Tells officers to give “priority processing” (faster handling) to study permit applications that meet the SDS rules.
• Limits SDS eligibility to applicants who are legal residents of specific countries and who submit a complete set of required documents when they apply. Required items include:
  • an acceptance letter from a post‑secondary designated learning institution;
  • proof tuition for the first year has been paid;
  • a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC): 75% of the low income cut‑off (LICO) for studies outside Quebec, or the amount set by Québec for studies in Quebec;
  • a medical exam and a police certificate;
  • recent school transcripts;
  • a language test result meeting the specified scores and formats.
• Acceptable language tests and minimum scores (must be taken in‑person; remotely proctored/online tests are not allowed):
  • general tests showing a Canadian Language Benchmarks level of at least 7 in each skill (examples include IELTS General, CELPIP General, TEF Canada, TCF Canada);
  • academic tests with these minimum overall scores: IELTS Academic 6, CAEL 60, Pearson PTE Academic 60, TEF (5 épreuves) 400, TCF - tout public 400, and TOEFL iBT 83.
• Adds a requirement that applicants intending to study in Quebec must have a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) and meet Québec’s financial rules.
• Repeals the previous SDS instructions dated May 12, 2023, effective January 1, 2024.
• Clarifies that applications received on or after January 1, 2024 that do not meet these conditions will not get priority processing.

Who's affected#

• International students applying for a Canadian study permit who want faster SDS processing. In particular, applicants who are legal residents of the countries named in the instructions (the notice lists a set of eligible countries).
• Designated learning institutions, language test providers, and agents who help students apply may also be affected because of the documentation and test-format rules.
• It is unclear from this notice whether applicants from countries not on the SDS list or applicants who cannot take in‑person tests will have alternative fast-track options.

Why it matters#

• If you qualify and submit everything required, your study permit application may be processed faster, which helps with planning travel, housing, and course start dates.
• You now must arrange in‑person language testing and specific financial proofs (tuition paid and a GIC) before you submit an SDS application. That can add time and cost.
• Applicants who rely on online language tests, or who are from countries not listed for SDS eligibility, will not benefit from this priority route.