Canada recently made a sudden decision that has left thousands of students in shock. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is no longer accepting study permit applications under the Student Direct Stream (SDS).This decision raises many questions about why Canada took such a step, the reasons behind it, and the potential challenges students will now face.
The SDS program was a streamlined pathway that allowed thousands of students from 14 countries such as Pakistan, India, and others to obtain Canadian study permits more quickly.
The SDS program, launched in 2018, allowed students from 14 countries, including Pakistan and India, to receive study permits in a matter of weeks. With simpler requirements, such as obtaining a $20,000 Canadian Guaranteed Investment Certificate and achieving a specified score on language tests, the program had a high success rate and short processing time, making it highly popular among international students.
Reasons for the closure of SDS program
According to international media , Canada’s government is implementing policy changes to control the number of international students entering the country. As part of its 2024 adjustments, Canada has set a cap of 437,000 new study permits for 2025. This decision also aligns with efforts to offer equal opportunities to applicants globally by eliminating region-specific streams and transitioning all applicants to a standardized process.
Impact on students
The closure of the SDS program presents challenges for students from countries like India and Pakistan, where the programs had almost guaranteed success rates. Now , after closure of SDS, students applying through the non-SDS and standard application routes can expect more in-depth application reviews and potentially longer processing times.
It is important to note that applications submitted before to November 8 will still be processed under the SDS criteria, but going forward, all applicants will be subject to the same, more punctilious process.
