ABOUT THE STUDENT DIRECT STREAM (SDS)
The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is an expedited study permit process offered by Immigration and Citizenship (IC) for international students meeting certain eligibility requirements.
This means that as an international student, you can get your study permit processed faster if you prepay your UBC tuition. If you are eligible and choose this option, note that SDS estimated processing times are not guaranteed. Apply for your study permit as soon as possible.
If you are a student from the Vancouver Campus, review the UBC Vancouver guide.
Follow the steps below if you’re interested in the Student Direct Stream option:
- Check if you meet the eligibility requirements below for the Student Direct Stream.
- Follow the instructions below to request a prepayment.
- Apply for your study permit and include the relevant documents listed below.
If you have submitted a regular study permit application, in most cases, we do not recommend that you submit a second application through Student Direct Stream (SDS).
If you have additional SDS-required documents that you did not include in your existing study permit application, you can submit them via the IRCC webform.
If your course registration has now opened, learn how to download your proof of tuition payment. You can request for this to be added to your existing study permit application through the IRCC webform.
If you’ve applied through the regular study permit process and an officer requests proof of tuition payment or other documents, follow the instructions in the Frequently Asked Question.
The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is only available to you if you are a legal resident of the following countries at the time you apply for SDS:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Brazil
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- India
- Morocco
- Pakistan
- Peru
- Philippines
- Senegal
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Vietnam
Read the specific requirements provided by Immigration Citizenship. Be prepared to show your full prepayment of tuition for your first year of studies, among other documents.
If you’re in the Diploma in Accounting program or Non-Degree Studies, you are not eligible to prepay tuition, thus you cannot apply through the Student Direct Stream.
About sds tuition prepayment
UBC will only accept prepayment for tuition. Student fees, such as special course fees and health insurance, are not considered part of tuition. You will still be responsible for paying student fees after you register for courses and by the tuition payment deadline.
If you expect additional awards, scholarships, or loans, but do not have written proof, you cannot count those toward your full tuition prepayment.
Eligible students applying for SDS can prepay the full amount of their first-year tuition:
- For undergraduate students and post-baccalaureate students, this includes Term 1 and Term 2 tuition.
- For graduate students, this includes Term 1 and Term 2 tuition, plus the following Summer Session.
UBC will not accept prepayment of student fees, such as special course fees and health insurance. Students will still be responsible to pay student fees after they register and before the standard due date.
About the acceptance deposit
- Undergraduate students
You must pay an acceptance deposit at the time you accept your offer. This amount will be automatically deducted from your SDS prepayment request once it appears in your Workday Account Activity.
- Graduate students
Some graduate programs may require an acceptance deposit. If an acceptance deposit applies to your program, you’ll need to pay the deposit following the instructions provided by your program before proceeding with your prepayment request. You can deduct the amount of your deposit from your prepayment request.
If your registration has already opened
You will still need to register for classes after your registration date has opened even if you have made an SDS prepayment.
Graduate Students: Please register for 2024 Winter Session Term 1 and 2 and pay the fees displayed in Workday under the Finances app. You may then request to prepay tuition for the 2025 Summer Session (May to August 2025).
For students accepted into graduate programs starting in Winter Term 1 that do not follow the standard registration date schedule, if you cannot register now, you may request to prepay tuition fees.
Undergraduate Students: Please register for 2024 Winter Session Term 1 and 2 and pay the fees displayed in Workday under the Finances app. You do not need to apply for SDS prepayment.
Finding your tuition rate
Tuition varies by program. To find the typical tuition for the first year of your program, see the Vancouver or Okanagan Academic Calendars.
Please be aware that the amount you can prepay for SDS is an estimate only. Your exact balance owing will be available in your Workday Account Activity after you register.
You can make an SDS prepayment if you meet all of the following requirements:
- You satisfy the eligibility requirements for SDS according to Immigration and Citizenship.
- You’ve accepted your offer to UBC.
- You’ve paid your acceptance deposit, if applicable.
- If you’re a graduate student, you’ve satisfied the conditional admission requirements outlined by the College of Graduate Studies at UBC Okanagan. Requirements can include the receipt of official documents.
- You’ve received a confirmation from Enrolment Services after applying for SDS. Students can only submit one application at a time.
The Student Direct Stream program has ended as of Fri, Nov 8 at 2 pm ET. The instructions below are provided as a reference for students who have previously submitted a prepayment request.
- Review the special requirements for SDS to decide if you will use it to apply for your study permit.
- Submit an online request to UBC for prepayment.
- Indicate the amount of your acceptance deposit.
- If you have written proof that you are getting awards, scholarships or loans, include the total amount in your request. You can deduct the total from your tuition amount and prepay the remainder.
- You will receive an email from Enrolment Services confirming that your application has been received and is ready for review.
In 2 to 3 business days, you will receive an email with instructions on how to make payment in TouchNet. Learn about other accepted methods of payment.
If you complete your payment through TouchNet, please keep any receipts as proof of payment.
Once your payment has been received, you can also download your proof of tuition payment from your Workday account.
Carefully review all steps of UBC’s step-by-step tutorial to prepare your initial study permit application.
Combine and include all your tuition proofs. This includes your proof of prepayment, plus awards, scholarships, loans, and any large deposits.
If you live in a country that is not your country of citizenship, please include a letter of explanation about your residency status and a copy of your valid status in your study permit application.
If you’re prepaying your tuition starting 2024 Winter Session Term 1 (Sep to Dec 2024), you’ll see a receipt once you’ve made your payment. Please print or download a copy of the receipt immediately to use for your SDS application. You can also find your account statement in your Workday account, which can be used as proof of payment. For full step-by-step instructions for downloading your proof of payment, visit our tutorial.
