In a major blow to international students, Canada has shut down its popular Student Direct Stream (SDS) program, effective immediately.

The move ends a fast-track study permit process that has helped thousands of international students obtain visas.

According to a notice from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), it said that “Canada’s objective is to strengthen program integrity, address student vulnerability, and provide all students with equal and fair access to the application process, as well as a positive academic level. experience and to fulfill this commitment.”

All study permit applications will now be submitted using the standard application process.

Let’s take a closer look.

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Student Direct Stream Program

SDS was introduced in 2018 by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to simplify the visa application process for eligible students from 14 countries, including China, India, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Vietnam and the Philippines.

“The assessment was simplified if they met the language requirements and the necessary financial commitment, along with an acceptance letter from a Canadian college or university,” said Naresh Chavda, president of Globayan Immigration Corporation. Hindustan Times.

The approval rate was close to 95 percent and the processing time was only four weeks, half the time required for regular study permits.

The scheme processes applications within 20 days if applicants submit biometrics and meet all eligibility conditions; however, the traditional approach often takes several weeks for Indian candidates.

The reason

The cancellation of the SDS underscores Canada’s growing efforts to regulate its foreign student population in the face of resource and housing challenges.

As part of its 2024 policy reviews, the government set a cap of 437,000 new study permits for 2025, including all levels of education, including postgraduate degrees.

Additional strict rules include stricter academic and language criteria for students seeking to be eligible for the Postgraduate Work Permit (PGWP), fewer work permits available to spouses of international students and increased requirements for financial evidence, in line with Indian Express.

With a record 807,000 study visa holders in 2023, Ottawa is trying to balance the benefits of its foreign education sector with the need to ease pressure on housing and services.

Advisers are urging students to start planning their visas much earlier than before to cope with the new, more restrictive environment.

Speaking about the new development, Chavda was quoted by Hindustan Times“They closed a special program to attract students. There was no reason to close the program so suddenly, other than to reduce the number of international students.”

“Ultimately, student interest will be less in Canada and people may be redirected to other nations,” he added, of the potential impact of the decision.

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Impact on Indian students

Students from India and 13 other countries will have to go through longer visa procedures as a result of the discontinuation of this program.

For Indian students seeking study permits in Canada, SDS has emerged as the preferred option. The SDS scheme was used by 80% of Indian candidates in 2022, a notable increase over previous years.

Almost four out of five Indian students applied through SDS between January and March 2023; applicants had a 76% approval rate compared to 8% for those who used the traditional stream.

In fact, wCompared to the regular stream, SDS pass rates for Indian students have skyrocketed during the pandemic.

Approval rates for SDS applications were three times higher in 2021 and 2022 than for non-SDS applicants (63% by the end of 2022 compared to 19% for non-SDS applicants).

This trend continued into early 2023, when the acceptance rate for Indian SDS applicants reached 73%, which contrasts sharply with the 10% approval rate for non-SDS applicants.

IRCC said in September that the maximum for issuing study permits in 2025 will be 437,000, which is less than the target of 485,000 for this year. The 2026 figure will be the same as the 2025 “stabiliser” figure.

Canadian officials have warned that later this year, the decisions taken will come into effect.

This is evident as the number of study permits issued between April and June this year fell to 125,020 from 148,140 in 2023. The drop for India was from 70,340 to 55,940. However, this figure is still almost double the total intake for 2015.

Multiple visa entry has ended

Under the updated rules, immigration officials will now be able to choose whether to grant a single-entry or multiple visa and set the appropriate length of validity.

The Canadian Department of Immigration stated in a recent update: “The guidance has been updated to indicate that multiple entry visas issued up to the maximum validity are no longer considered to be the standard document. Officers may exercise their judgment in deciding whether to issue a single or multiple entry visa and in determining the period of validity.”

Factors that can be considered are the purpose of the visit, occupation, financial stability, health of the visitor and more. Additional factors include ties to the applicant’s home country and previous travel compliance.

Previously, the multiple entry visa allowed the holder to enter Canada from any country as often as needed during the period of validity of the visa.

It has a maximum validity of up to 10 years, or until the travel document or biometric data expires.

The department clarified: “It (multiple entry visa) may still be valid if it is applied in a full or complete passport or travel document. In this case, the holder must also hold a newer and valid passport or travel document and must present both documents to the air carrier to travel to Canada and to the border services officer to seek entry into Canada.”

With contributions from agencies