Canada's decision to end the popular Student Direct Stream (SDS) program, effective immediately, marks a significant shift in the country's immigration policy, especially concerning international students. The SDS, which was designed to expedite the study permit process for students from select countries, including India, has been a major draw for prospective students due to its shorter processing times and higher approval rates. With its sudden termination, students now face longer wait times and more uncertainty in their applications.
The SDS was launched in 2018 with the aim of streamlining the process for eligible post-secondary students. It allowed students from countries such as India, China, the Philippines, and others to get their study permits approved more quickly—usually within 20 business days. Now, under the new policy, these applications may take up to eight weeks to process, causing concerns for students who had relied on the faster approval timeline to make timely academic and financial plans.
This policy change comes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's announcement in September, where he revealed that Canada would issue 35% fewer international student permits this year, with that number dropping by another 10% in 2025. Trudeau highlighted that the Canadian government is taking steps to reduce the number of temporary residents, which includes students, as part of a broader effort to maintain control over immigration. He also alluded to the rise of "bad actors" who were allegedly exploiting the system, which has led to increased scrutiny of international students.
The end of the SDS and other similar fast-track programs like the Nigeria Student Express (NSE) represents a move toward tightening immigration controls amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between Canada and India. The Indian High Commission has confirmed that India is the largest source country for international students in Canada, with around 427,000 Indian students currently enrolled in Canadian institutions. As a result, this policy change will likely have a direct impact on a significant portion of foreign students, especially from India.
The Canadian government, through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), has stated that it remains committed to ensuring fair access to the application process for all international students, but this move aims to address concerns related to student vulnerability and the integrity of the program. The IRCC has clarified that students who had already applied under the SDS or NSE will still have their applications processed under these streams if received before the 2:00 pm ET cutoff on Friday, which is when the new policy came into effect.
For prospective students, the option to apply through the regular study permit stream remains available. However, the process will no longer have the streamlined benefits of the SDS, and students may have to provide additional documentation, such as a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) as proof of financial support.
This decision to scale back the SDS program reflects broader changes in Canada's immigration strategy. On October 24, Immigration Minister Marc Miller revealed that Canada plans to reduce its permanent residency targets for 2025 to 395,000, a nearly 20% reduction from the 485,000 expected this year. Similarly, the country is scaling back its targets for temporary immigrants, including international students and foreign workers, intending to admit only 446,000 temporary immigrants in 2025 and 2026—down from 800,000 in 2024.
These policy shifts are set against the backdrop of growing concerns about immigration levels and the pressure on public services and infrastructure. The reduction in both permanent and temporary immigration numbers signifies Canada's efforts to rebalance its immigration system while addressing political, social, and economic considerations. However, the impact on international students, especially those from countries like India, who were heavily reliant on fast-track visa options, is a point of contention that will likely spark further debates on the future of Canada's immigration policies.
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