Canada has ended the Student Direct Stream, launched in 2018 to help post-secondary students from 14 countries process their visa more quickly.
The Canadian government has announced the abrupt end of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program as of November 8, 2024. This decision has significant implications for thousands of international students who were planning to use this expedited pathway to secure study permits. The SDS, launched in 2018, was designed to simplify and speed up the application process for students from 14 countries, including India, China, Pakistan, and several others.
The Student Direct Stream (SDS) in Canada, before its termination, was available to students from the following 14 countries:
India, China, Philippines, Pakistan, Vietnam, Morocco, Senegal, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Antigua and Barbuda, Costa Rica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago.
Canada is citing concerns about managing student housing and resources as the reason for discontinuing the fast-track process. This means that students from the listed countries will now have to apply for study permits through the standard application process, potentially leading to longer processing times. The Canadian government has emphasized the need for equitable access for all international students, aiming to strengthen program integrity and reduce student vulnerability.
Meanwhile, this decision adds uncertainty, especially for students from countries heavily reliant on the SDS, like India, which saw nearly 200,000 students obtain study permits in 2023 alone. The move also aligns with broader immigration policy adjustments seen earlier in 2024, such as enhanced requirements for postgraduate work permits and increased emphasis on language proficiency and field of study criteria.
For future applicants, it’s crucial to stay informed about these changes and prepare accordingly for the regular visa process, which may require additional documentation and extended wait times.
In a similar policy shift, the Canadian government announced the discontinuation of its FastTrack visa processing program for Nigerian applicants. This decision, which took effect in December 2024, has sparked widespread discussion among Nigerians and the broader immigration community. Details here.
