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SDS master's application processing times — reported variation (historical)

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

Timeline

Total Duration
commonly reported around 80 days, some as fast as under 10 days

Step-by-Step

Members compared notes on Student Direct Stream (SDS) processing times for master's applications and found wide variation, without a clear single explanation.

What members reported (historical — check current IRCC processing standards, as these shift over time):
  1. Some applicants received a decision in under 10 days.

  2. Most applicants in the discussion reported closer to 80 days.

  3. Members disagreed on why — some suspected it depended on the visa office processing their file (e.g., country-specific backlogs) rather than a strict, predictable rule tied to program level (master's vs. bachelor's).


Takeaway: don't benchmark your own timeline too closely against another applicant's — SDS processing varies significantly by processing office and application volume at the time, not just program type. Check IRCC's current published processing times for the most accurate expectation.

Dos, Don'ts & Tips

  • Tip: SDS processing times vary widely (single digit days to ~80 days reported) — don't assume your master's application will match someone else's exact timeline.

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