To be eligible for faster processing through the Student Direct Stream, you must:
be a legal resident living in one of the following countries:
Antigua and Barbuda
Brazil
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
India
Morocco
Pakistan
Peru
Philippines
Senegal
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
Vietnam
have an acceptance letter from a post-secondary designated learning institution
live outside of Canada when you apply
have proof you have paid your tuition for your first year of study
have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAN$10,000
have a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration
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 either:
an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic or general training score of 6.0 or higher in each skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening), 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.
We may ask you to give additional documents to support your application. In this situation, 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:
a receipt from the DLI
an official letter from the DLI confirming payment of tuition fees
a receipt from a bank showing that tuition fees have been paid to the DLI
proof that the tuition fee amount has been transferred into a repository account at the DLI to be applied to the tuition bill at a later date
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 GICs. The bank that gives you the GIC must:
confirm that you bought a GIC by giving you 1 of the following:
a letter of attestation
a GIC certificate
an Investment Directions Confirmation or
an Investment Balance Confirmation
hold the GIC in an investment account or a student account that you can’t access until you arrive in Canada
make you confirm your identity before they release any funds to you
release the funds to you by providing:
an initial lump sum once you identify yourself upon arrival in Canada
the remainder of the funds in monthly or bi-monthly installments over 10 to 12 months
If your bank or GIC doesn’t meet these criteria, you won’t be able to apply through the Student Direct Stream.
Financial institutions that offer GICs
You can get a GIC from a financial institution listed on the Canadian Deposit Insurance Company website. Make sure the financial institution you choose offers a GIC and meets the criteria for the Student Direct Stream.
The following financial institutions offer GICs that meet the criteria:
Bank of Beijing
Bank of China
Bank of Montreal (BMO)
Bank of Xian Co. Ltd.
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
China Everbright Bank
DesjardinsFootnote1
Habib Canadian Bank
HSBC Bank of Canada
ICICI Bank
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
RBC Royal Bank
SBI Canada Bank
Scotiabank
Simplii Financial
TD Canada Trust
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:
you lived or travelled in certain countries or territories for 6 or more months in the year before you come to Canada, or
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.
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
visitor visa
work permit
study permit
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.