Canada Halts Popular Student Direct Stream, Impacting Thousands of Indian Students.

Written on 09/11/2024

Financial Express

The Canadian government has officially terminated the widely favored Student Direct Stream (SDS), which previously expedited the study permit process for international students, particularly benefiting Indian applicants.

The SDS program was designed to streamline visa processing for students aiming to enroll in post-secondary designated learning institutions (DLIs) across Canada.

With its closure, students from India, the largest beneficiaries of this initiative, will face longer processing times and additional requirements for study permits.

The move marks a significant shift in Canada's immigration policy, impacting thousands of aspiring international students seeking education opportunities in the country.

The Student Direct Stream (SDS) ended on November 8, 2024, at 2 p.m. ET. The applications submitted on or after this date and time will be processed as regular study permits. All study permit applications received on or after November 8 will be processed using regular study permit procedures.

The Student Direct Stream (SDS) was launched in 2018 to provide faster processing for eligible post-secondary students. The SDS was eventually opened to legal residents of Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam. Prospective university students from Nigeria had a similar process with the Nigeria Student Express (NSE). Since November 8, along with Student Direct Stream, the Nigeria Student Express has come to an end.

Eligible SDS and NSE applications received before 2:00 p.m. ET on November 8, 2024, will be processed under these streams. Study permit applications submitted on or after this time will be processed under the regular study permit stream.