IRCC Ends the Student Direct Stream (SDS) Effective Immediately

As of November 8, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has stopped accepting study permit applications through the Student Direct Stream (SDS). Additionally, the Nigeria Student Express (NSE) stream for Nigerian applicants has also been discontinued.

Moving forward, international students who previously qualified for the SDS must now apply for their study permits using the standard process.

What Was the SDS?

The SDS, launched in 2018, aimed to speed up study permit applications for students from 14 countries, such as India, China, Pakistan, and the Philippines. It offered faster processing and higher approval rates. Applicants under this stream needed to meet specific requirements, including:

• Submitting language test results.
• Opening a Canadian Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAD $20,635.
  
  

What This Change Means for Applicants

Students planning to study in Canada under the SDS should now anticipate longer processing times. Processing times for standard study permits differ by country. For example, as of November 8, the average processing time for applications from India is around 8 weeks.

Recent Changes to Canada’s International Student Program

The closure of the SDS is part of a series of recent changes to Canada’s international student policies, designed to manage the levels of temporary residents, such as study and work permit holders. Over the last year, IRCC has introduced:

• A cap on new study permits. In 2025, the limit will be 437,000 permits, covering both master’s and PhD students.
• New language and field of study requirements for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility.
• Restrictions on work permits for spouses of international students.
• Updates to the cost-of-living requirements for study permit applications.
  
  

Planning Your Study Permit Application

With these changes, it’s more important than ever for students to start their applications early and thoroughly understand the requirements. While processing times may be longer, careful planning can help ensure a smoother journey toward studying in Canada.