In a significant policy change, the Canadian government has announced the immediate termination of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program, which had expedited the processing of study permits for international students. The decision was made by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and took effect on November 8.
Launched in 2018, the SDS program aimed to offer faster processing for eligible post-secondary students and was expanded to include applicants from 14 countries, including India. The program was designed to simplify the application process for students who met certain language and financial requirements, as well as provided a letter of acceptance from a designated Canadian institution.
The IRCC explained that the closure of SDS was part of efforts to “strengthen program integrity, address student vulnerability, and ensure equal and fair access for all applicants.” Going forward, all student visa applications will be processed through the regular stream, which typically has longer processing times.
Previously, SDS allowed qualified applicants to receive study permits in as little as four weeks, compared to the longer processing times of the regular stream. The program also had a 95% approval rate, making it a popular option for students, particularly those from India and China.
Naresh Chavda, president of Globayan Immigration Corporation, criticized the decision, suggesting that the closure of the SDS program could be a move to limit the intake of international students. “They’ve closed a program designed to attract students,” he remarked, adding that the change could affect Canada’s appeal as a study destination.
In addition to the SDS closure, the IRCC has been tightening requirements for international students. As of January 2024, all new study permit applicants must provide financial proof of CA$20,635, an increase from the previous amount of CA$10,000. Starting in December 2023, designated learning institutions (DLIs) will also be required to verify each applicant’s acceptance letter through the IRCC.
The IRCC has set a target of issuing 437,000 study permits in 2025, down from 485,000 in 2024. This number is expected to remain stable through 2026. The change in the SDS program and other recent policy adjustments may lead to a shift in international student interest toward other countries, as Canada continues to re-evaluate its immigration policies for students.
