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SDS vs non-SDS study permit processing times: what members experienced

Canada • Study Permit • study 0 views
By VisaBuddies Communityvia community — compiled from public visa forums

Step-by-Step

A member asked whether Student Direct Stream (SDS) study permits were taking longer than 2 months to process.

What the thread showed:
  1. Processing times vary widely even within SDS — one member reported still waiting after more than 3 months, showing the advertised faster SDS timeline isn't guaranteed.

  2. A non-SDS applicant reported a much faster outcome: application submitted 24th May 2022, biometrics done 27th May, and Passport Request (PPR) received 31st May 2022 — under a week total. This shows stream (SDS vs non-SDS) isn't the only factor; individual case complexity and visa office workload matter a lot too.


Takeaway: don't assume SDS automatically means a fast decision — plan financially and logistically (e.g., travel bookings, program start dates) for a range of outcomes from about a week to several months, and treat any single applicant's timeline as one data point rather than a guarantee.

Dos, Don'ts & Tips

  • Tip: SDS does not guarantee a fast decision — real-world waits ranged from under a week to 3+ months in this thread.
  • Don't: Don't book irreversible travel or program start commitments assuming a specific processing time, even under SDS.

Have a question about this? Join the discussion.

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