A first-time applicant filling out the GC Key study permit application was confused about where to explicitly select the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and how the upfront medical exam process works.
What group members advised:- There's no separate field to select SDS. Your file is automatically classified based on your answers to the standard questions in the checklist — you don't declare 'SDS' or 'non-SDS' anywhere directly.
- Answering 'yes' to the medical exam question routes you toward SDS-style processing, subject to meeting the other SDS conditions (like the IELTS/language and funds requirements).
- You book your own medical exam. No one assigns a panel physician to you automatically — you need to call a designated panel physician or clinic near you (per IRCC's designated list) and make the booking yourself.
The practical takeaway: fill out the checklist questions accurately and truthfully rather than hunting for an 'SDS' selector, and proactively book your own medical appointment at a designated clinic once you know you need one.