Student Direct Stream (SDS) for Bangladeshi Students

 

Student Direct Stream (SDS) for Bangladeshi Students

Students from Bangladesh will get benefitted from Canada Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa program. Currently, Bangladesh does not have the SDS status for Canada student visa fast track program. SDS was initially launched in 2018 by the IRCC to expedite the student visa process for certain nationalities. Unfortunately, Bangladesh is not on the list despite having many applications from Bangladesh each year. Students from Bangladesh will get benefitted from Canada Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa program. Currently, Bangladesh does not have the SDS status for Canada student visa fast track program. SDS was initially launched in 2018 by the IRCC to expedite the student visa process for certain nationalities. Unfortunately, Bangladesh is not on the list despite having many applications from Bangladesh each year. According to IRCC, it’s a faster study permit processing program for international students interested in studying in Canada at Post-Secondary designated learning institutes (DLI).

Bangladesh’s inclusion in the SDS program

The Bangladesh high commission in Canada published they are in negotiations with the Canadian authority to include Bangladesh in the SDS program. The high commissioner works closely with the Global Affairs Canada and Canadian Immigration Authorities. The high commissioner also mentioned they are pursuing to relocate the Canadian Visa Application center to Dhaka from Singapore.

Bangladesh high commission prioritized both issues as their top agenda.

SDS benefits for Bangladeshi students

Canada study permit SDS has some specific benefits. A faster study permit application process is one of them. Present standard student visa application processing takes 4-12 weeks; this processing time has increased severely since the COVID-19 pandemic. Presently Canada student visa processing from Bangladesh is very frustrating for Bangladeshi students due to its visa application center in Singapore, which takes extra time transitting applications from Dhaka to Singapore. Besides reducing significant processing time, SDS will also ease the financial burden to the students and parents. For SDS, students need to have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) for $10,000 as proof of the financial ability to study in Canada.

Canada Visa Application Center in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Bangladesh high commission in Canada also mentioned that relocating Canada Visa Application Center (VAC) from Singapore to Dhaka is also on their priority lists. Suppose the Canadian government agrees to set up a visa application center in Dhaka. In that case, this will be crucial for all types of temporary and permanent resident visa applicants for Bangladeshi applicants, whether it’s a study permit, work permit, visitor visa, or permanent type of visa.

Presently all type of Canadian visa application takes the process from Singapore. VFS Global only conducts biometric registration and documents transit from Dhaka to Singapore (vice-versa) to its clients.