According to official information from the Consulate General of Canada in HCMC. On January 26, 2018, the CES (Canadian Express Study) – a priority visa, with no current financial proof – continues to apply in parallel with the new Study Direct Stream (SDS) program . Some institution have started raising IELTS requirements. So you intend to study in Canada under the CES, urgently apply before the program is completely replaced by SDS with a minimum IELTS requirement of 6.0.
What is SDS?
Study Direct Stream (SDS) is a fast-track program for students in four countries: Vietnam, India, China, and the Philippines. Although there is no official information on input requirements of SDS in Vietnam. However, according to the SDS application conditions in the Philippines on 17 June 2013, students enrolled in the SDS program must meet the following criteria:
• Admission to a full-time study program at a post-secondary institution such as a university, college, research institute or CÉGEP;
• Minimum IELTS 6.0 for each (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking)
• Purchase of Scotiabank’s Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) at CAD 10,000 to cover the cost of living for the first year in Canada;
• Pay for one (1) year;
• Physical exam at least one week before the application.
Advantages of applying SDS:
• Priority visa process for all schools applying SDS.
• Less financial documentation.
• Visa processing time is faster.
On CES and SDS requirements, there are two major differences: one is the increased IELTS requirement, and the number of participating SDS schools is not limited to that of the CES program. This will allow you to choose institutions and courses in a more diverse way.