New Changes to Canadian Study Permit Application Process as IRCC Ends SDS

 

As of November 8, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially halted the Student Direct Stream (SDS), a decision which immediately affects study permit applications submitted under this method. Additionally, the Nigeria Student Express (NSE) stream for Nigerians seeking study permits is no longer available. All future applications will need to comply with the regular study permit procedure.

Introduced in 2018, the SDS was designed to speed up the permit process for international students from 14 select countries, such as India, China, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Requirements for SDS applicants usually included a language proficiency test and a Canadian Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of $20,635 CAD, among other study permit criteria.

The SDS program was known for its higher approval rates and quicker processing times in comparison to the standard process. With its closure, applicants should now anticipate potentially longer processing times, which can vary based on the applicant’s country of origin. For instance, as of November 8, the average processing duration for applications from India is approximately eight weeks.

In recent developments for 2024, Canada’s government has implemented strategies to manage the number of temporary residents, including holders of study and work permits. Over the past year, IRCC has introduced measures such as capping new study permits at 437,000 in 2025, inclusive of master’s and PhD students; revisiting language and study field criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP); and restricting spousal work permits for international students. Additionally, there have been updates to the cost-of-living requirements needed for a Canadian study permit.

These recent changes reflect Canada’s aim to streamline its international student program while balancing workforce needs and the country’s capacity to accommodate international residents. Applicants who were considering the SDS should now adapt to the standard process, planning accordingly to meet IRCC’s criteria for studying in Canada.

If you are considering studying in Canada, it is important to explore all available options and stay abreast of the latest immigration updates to ensure a smooth application process.

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