An experienced teacher (BSc, BEd, MSc Mathematics, MEd, 10 years' experience, IELTS 7/7/6/7.5) admitted to a Master's in Special Education at UBC filed
two study permit applications in parallel — one SDS, one non-SDS — and shared the outcome:
- The timelines diverged sharply. SDS application: filed 3 June, biometrics 5 June, medical updated 26 August, PPR the next morning (27 August) — roughly 3 months. Non-SDS application: filed 3 August, refused 11 August — 8 days. Same person, same admission, different stream and outcome.
- Yes, two simultaneous applications are possible — the applicant confirmed it when asked. It's a hedging strategy some use when eligible for SDS but nervous about timing. Weigh it carefully: you pay two fees, and a refusal on one file becomes part of your immigration history that future applications must disclose.
- Biometrics are given once and reused. Asked whether two applications meant two biometric appointments: no — biometrics are valid for 10 years and apply across applications.
- The 'no news then sudden PPR' pattern is normal. The file showed no updates for weeks; the medical status updated just before midnight and PPR arrived at 4:30 am the same night. Silence before approval is common.
Historical note: SDS was suspended in late 2024; the parallel-filing tactic is era-specific, but the biometrics and status-pattern lessons still hold.