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Canada on Friday announced the termination of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE) initiatives. These steps have provided faster processing for international students from specific countries, including India. This marks a major change for Indian students benefiting from expedited study permit processing through the SDS, which was introduced in 2018.
For the past six years, Indian students have been among the primary beneficiaries of the SDS, a programme designed to speed up the study permit application process. Under SDS, students from India, along with other eligible countries such as China, Pakistan and the Philippines, enjoyed faster processing times for their study permits, provided they met specific eligibility criteria, including proof of funds in the form of a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC).
With the termination of SDS, prospective students from India will now be required to apply for study permits through the regular study permit stream. While this change will not impact eligibility, it is expected to increase processing times, as applications will no longer receive the expedited treatment that SDS offers.
According to Canada’s immigration authorities, the decision to end the SDS and NSE initiatives is part of an effort to “strengthen program integrity” and ensure all international students, regardless of their country of origin, have equal and fair access to the application process. The government emphasised its continued commitment to welcoming international students while also addressing concerns over student vulnerability and fostering a positive academic experience.
Indian students who had already submitted their applications under the SDS before the 2 pm ET deadline on November 8, 2024, will see their applications processed through the SDS, meaning they will still benefit from the expedited processing times. However, any study permit applications submitted after the cut-off will be processed through the regular study permit stream, which may take longer.
For Indian students who have already planned their studies in Canada, this change might lead to an adjustment in timelines, and they are advised to stay updated on the status of their applications.
India has consistently been one of the largest sources of international students for Canada, with more than one lakh Indian students enrolled in Canadian institutions as of the latest figures. The end of the SDS and NSE programmes could have varying impacts on the number of applications, the waiting times for study permits, and the overall experience for Indian students hoping to study in Canada.
While the regular study permit stream remains open to all applicants, the discontinuation of expedited processing for Indian students may prompt some to seek alternative countries or reconsider their study abroad plans.
Immigration officials have assured that the shift to the regular study permit stream will not affect eligibility for students from India and other affected countries. All prospective students, regardless of whether they were eligible for SDS, will be required to meet Canada’s standard study permit application requirements.
This change aligns with Canada’s broader goal of maintaining the integrity of its immigration system and offering equal opportunities to all students. Students who wish to study in Canada are encouraged to apply through the regular process and plan accordingly for the potential increase in processing times.
As India continues to be one of the largest sources of international students in Canada, this shift may mark the beginning of a new chapter in the student visa landscape. Canadian authorities have reiterated their dedication to ensuring that international students remain a valued part of the country’s educational ecosystem, despite the changes to the application process.
According to data from the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), approximately 1.3 million Indian students received study permits from 2015 to 2024. For 2024, up until August, 1,37,445 Indian students received study permits out of 3,74,060 international students, accounting for 36.7 per cent.
Meanwhile, the IRCC on November 1 implemented changes to the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) programme. As part of that, candidates will be required to provide proof of language ability to meet the language requirements for the PGWP when they submit application. Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) will be used as proof of language for English, and Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) for French. Recently, the Liberal Party of Canada candidate issued a statement on X claiming that the number of temporary foreign workers in Canada will be reduced.
