What is Difference between SPP and Non-SPP Program in Canada?

First of all what are SPP and Non-SPP. To start with the name, SPP stands for Student Partners Program. SPP was developed in partnership between the ACCC- Association of Canadian Community Colleges and CIC – Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Basically, it is an arrangement between some selected Canadian educational institutions and Canadian High Commission in India to provide the students with quick and easy study permit for the prospective students of participating institutions in Canada. The main motive of this program is to increase the number of student visa issued to Indian students and to make the admission and visa process more efficient. 

When the aspirants are applying to the colleges of Canada, they have the option whether to choose SPP or not. The institutions participating under the SPP program, they accept Non-SPP applications, too. The thing is, the students are supposed to apply in the colleges which are falling under the list offering SPP. There are specific criteria to meet for the applicants; if they are meeting them then their applications may be considered under the program. It is recommended that the students should submit their application at least 3 months before the beginning of the academic course. Apart from that the applicant needs to undergo a mandatory medical examination before visa application by visiting one of the DMP – Designated Medical Practitioners in India. 

Talking about the differences, the main difference between the two applications SPP and Non-SPP is the number of documents required for Visa processing. Here are the required documents for both SPP and Non-SPP application process:

  SPP Visa Application Requirement:

• Letter of Acceptance from participating colleges under SPP
• IELTS score sheet with at least an overall band of 6.0 for undergraduate courses and an overall band of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 for post graduate programs
• 12th-grade mark sheet with at least above 55% score for undergraduate programs
• Bachelor's degree or three to four years of Advance Diploma with minimum 50% or above, is required for post graduate courses
• Proof of work experience
• Proof of payment of Tuition Fee
• Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of $10,000 for living expenses
• Medical test results conducted only by approved panel doctors
• Applicable Visa fees

Non-SPP (General) Visa Application Requirement:

• Letter of Acceptance from College
• IELTS score sheet with at least an overall band of 6.0 for undergraduate courses and an overall band of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 for post graduate programs
• 12th Grade mark sheet for undergraduate programs
• Bachelor's degree or three to four years of Advance Diploma with minimum 50% or above, is required for post graduate courses
• Proof of work experience, along with pay slips of last 3 months
• Proof of payment of Tuition Fee
• Proof of funds to support living expenses - bank savings, investments, education loan etc.
• Form 16 or Income tax return documents of either the student or sponsor are the acceptable proof of income
• Medical test results conducted only by approved panel doctors
• Applicable Visa fees