Ottawa, Canada – Canada has officially ended the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program as of November 8, 2024, a decision that will affect thousands of international students, especially those from India. The change means that many students who relied on the SDS for faster study permit processing will now have to apply through the regular process, which could take much longer.
The SDS program, which started in 2018, allowed students from countries like India, China, and Pakistan to get their study permits faster. But now, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says the program has been discontinued. In an official statement, the IRCC explained that while the SDS helped speed up the process for some students, all new applicants after November 8 will now need to go through the regular study permit process.
Shamsher Singh Sandhu, an immigration lawyer in India, told this newspaper that the change will hit students from Punjab the hardest. “Around 90% of students who go to Canada from India use the SDS program,” Sandhu said. “Now, these students will face longer wait times and more uncertainty.” He also noted that students who are already in Canada under the SDS program may face challenges in staying permanently. “Their chances of getting permanent residency have just dropped,” he added.
Last year, over 300,000 students from India went to Canada, many using the SDS program. Sandhu said that these students might now face difficulties in staying in Canada long-term. “Students who came to Canada after finishing high school may face deportation if their visa status is checked by the Canadian Border Security Agency,” he warned.
While the end of the SDS program doesn’t affect students from other countries with similar initiatives, like Nigeria, it does create extra challenges for students from India. They will now need to meet more requirements and deal with longer processing times for study permits.
In conclusion, Canada’s decision to end the SDS program will make it harder for many international students, especially from India, to get study permits. While Canada still welcomes students, this policy change will lead to longer waits and more uncertainty for those hoping to study there.
