In a significant policy shift, Canada has announced the immediate termination of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) initiative, which was introduced in 2018 to expedite study permit processing for international students. The decision was made public on November 8 by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), with the government citing a need to strengthen program integrity and ensure equitable access for all students applying for study permits.
The SDS program, which initially targeted students from India and China and later expanded to include residents from 14 countries, allowed faster processing of study permits for eligible post-secondary students. By simplifying the application process, SDS enabled quicker approval times—often within four weeks—compared to regular study permit applications, which typically took twice as long. Additionally, the SDS program boasted an impressive approval rate of nearly 95%.
A notice issued by the IRCC stated that the decision to end SDS was driven by Canada’s commitment to enhancing program integrity, addressing student vulnerability, and ensuring all students receive fair access to the application process and a positive academic experience. Moving forward, study permits will be processed through the regular application stream, which may result in longer wait times for applicants.
Naresh Chavda, president of Globayan Immigration Corporation, expressed concern over the sudden termination of the program, noting that SDS had been a key incentive for international students, particularly those from India and China, to choose Canada as a destination for higher education. He believes this decision may lead to a reduction in Canada’s international student intake and divert interest to other countries offering more streamlined visa processes.
The move also comes on the heels of recent changes to Canada’s overall study permit strategy. On September 18, IRCC announced a cap of 437,000 study permits for 2025, significantly lower than the 485,000 target set for 2024. This stabilization figure is also expected to apply to 2026.
Statistics for study permits issued between April and June 2024 reflect a decrease in the number of applications processed, dropping to 125,020 from 148,140 during the same period in 2023. For India, the decrease was more pronounced, with 55,940 permits issued compared to 70,340 in 2023. Despite this, the number of permits granted to Indian students remains nearly double that of 2015.
Canada has been tightening regulations for international students over the past year, including raising the financial requirement for applicants. As of January 1, 2024, students applying for a study permit must show proof of CA$20,635 (approximately ₹12.7 lakh) in funds, an increase from the previous requirement of CA$10,000 (around ₹6.14 lakh). Additionally, in October 2023, the government mandated that designated learning institutions (DLIs) verify the acceptance letters of applicants through the IRCC’s system.
While the SDS program’s end marks a pivotal change in Canada’s immigration policy for international students, the long-term effects of these decisions are yet to be seen. Observers expect that this shift may affect Canada’s appeal as a top destination for students worldwide, potentially leading students to explore opportunities in countries with less stringent visa processes.
Sources By Agencies
