Maple News reports that TD Bank Group has teamed up with Canadian education technology leader ApplyBoard in a strategic effort to streamline the path for international students applying to study in Canada under the Student Direct Stream (SDS). The collaboration aims to provide a faster and more secure experience for students from seven eligible countries: China, India, Morocco, Pakistan, the Philippines, Senegal, and Vietnam.
Under the initiative, TD will continue offering its International Student Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) program, which is a key requirement under the SDS, now made even more robust through integration with ApplyBoard’s ApplyProof platform. This digital verification tool helps immigration authorities authenticate crucial financial and admission-related documents quickly and securely. The result: a smoother permit application that meets the requirements of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
As of January 1, 2024, IRCC updated its financial requirement for SDS applicants to a minimum of $20,635 CAD. TD’s International Student GIC program allows students to fulfill this condition without an application fee, and the GIC begins accruing interest before the student even lands in Canada. Combined with ApplyProof’s real-time document authentication, the partnership strengthens the transparency and credibility of submissions, potentially reducing processing delays.
ApplyProof is designed to connect admissions officers, immigration officials, and other stakeholders with verified documents, reducing uncertainty and mitigating the risks of fraudulent submissions. Given the discretion afforded to visa officers, ensuring document legitimacy can be a decisive factor in the application’s success.
In addition to assisting with study permit requirements, TD is offering expanded services for international students, including a TD Student Chequing Account with no monthly fee (for students under 23 or enrolled in full-time post-secondary education) and access to a comprehensive International Student Banking Package. This package may include up to $850 CAD in value through combined offers on banking products, such as credit cards and savings accounts.
Students also gain access to Canadian credit-building opportunities through TD credit cards without prior history, extensive online and in-branch support available in more than 80 languages, and tools for domestic and international money transfers, including Interac e-Transfer® and TD Global Transfer™.
TD Bank, with over 150 years of Canadian banking experience and approximately 1,000 branches nationwide, is one of the most accessible and newcomer-friendly financial institutions in the country. The bank complements its financial services with newcomer-focused educational content and extended operating hours.
ApplyBoard, meanwhile, has supported more than 800,000 students from 150 countries in their global education journeys. The Waterloo-based startup has grown into one of Canada’s fastest-growing technology companies since its founding in 2015, driven by its mission to empower students through simplified international education access.
This alliance not only enhances Canada’s appeal for global learners but also reinforces the country’s commitment to delivering an efficient and secure immigration process for international students headed toward academic success.