Chandigarh, 09 November 2024: Canada has abruptly terminated its Student Direct Stream (SDS) program, a fast-track visa process that benefited thousands of international students, particularly from countries like India, China, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
Immigration authorities announced the decision, which took effect immediately, marking a setback for applicants who relied on the expedited service.
Launched in 2018, the SDS was introduced to simplify and accelerate the study permit process for students from 14 designated countries.
The program offered faster approval times, often within three to four weeks, compared to the typical eight to twelve weeks of the standard application process.
The streamlined system became popular among international students seeking quicker access to Canadian educational institutions.
In addition to discontinuing the SDS, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has also shut down the Nigeria Student Express (NSE) program, which specifically catered to Nigerian applicants.
Moving forward, students from Nigeria will have to apply through the regular study permit route, potentially facing longer wait times.
Canada’s government has set a cap of 437,000 new study permits for 2025, encompassing all levels of education, including postgraduate programs.
The cap aims to regulate the influx of international students, which has been rising steadily in recent years.
This latest move could significantly affect Indian students, who form one of the largest groups of applicants to Canadian universities.
This policy shift follows other restrictive measures introduced earlier this year. In 2024, Canada implemented a two-year cap on study permits and reduced the overall number of permits by 35%.
The tightening of immigration policies signals a strategic shift in Canada’s approach to managing its international student population, impacting prospective students globally.
