In a major policy shift, Canada has announced the immediate termination of the Student Direct Stream (SDS), a fast-track visa processing program for international students, effective November 8, 2024.
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in a statement explained that the decision aims to strengthen the integrity of the program, reduce student vulnerabilities, and provide equal access to all applicants.
Introduced in 2018, the SDS allowed students from 14 countries, including India and China, to benefit from faster processing – within four weeks – and an approval rate of 95 percent if they met the language and financial requirements.
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Naresh Chavda, president of Globayan Immigration Corporation, noted that the SDS was a significant draw for international students due to its streamlined process.
“This may reduce Canada’s appeal, shifting student interest to other countries,” he said.
The IRCC has also set new study permit targets, lowering them from 485,000 in 2024 to 437,000 in 2025.
Additional changes include raising financial proof requirements for study permit applications from CA$10,000 to CA$20,635 starting in January 2025, while designated learning institutions will be required to verify applicants’ acceptance letters from December 2024.
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