Canada Ends SDS for Students: IRCC New Update | Canada Student Visa Updates 2024

Canada’s decision to end the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program is a significant step forward for overseas students. The ruling will immediately affect processing timelines and the awarding of study permits while attempting to establish a more equitable application procedure.

The Canadian government has abruptly terminated the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program, a decision that may substantially impact overseas students who intend to study in Canada. The IRCC made this decision, which will take effect on November 8, 2023, to “strengthen program integrity, address student vulnerability, and give all students equal and fair access to the application process. ”

Overview: Student Direct Stream (SDS)

The Student Direct Stream (SDS) was launched by Canada in 2018 as a quicker and more effective way for students from particular nations to get study permits. Canada later opened SDS to students from 14 countries, including China, India, and the Philippines, after it was first developed for expedited application processing.

It provided a greater clearance rate than the standard study permit procedure and processing timeframes of up to four weeks, as opposed to the regular stream’s typical eight-week timeline.

Why Canada Made the Decision to Stop SDS

The IRCC’s official statement states that Canada’s commitment to guaranteeing equity in the student visa application process includes the termination of SDS. According to the agency, issues with program integrity must be resolved, student safety must be supported, and all international students must have a uniform experience.

This change is also in line with more general immigration objectives, such as stabilizing the issuance of study permits at a target of 437,000 permits for 2025—a lower number than the 485,000 target for this year.

Effects of Terminating the SDS

For international students, the SDS’s termination is anticipated to have the following effects:

• Reduced Processing Time: Applications for study permits will now be handled through the regular stream, which normally takes more time.
• Enhanced Application Complexity: The SDS’s simplified application process will no longer be accessible, which could result in more intricate processes and additional documentation.
• Decreased Enrollment: The Canadian government has already made it clear that it intends to limit the number of study licenses granted in 2025 and 2026. The total number of international students admitted could be further decreased by the removal of the SDS.

Additional Significant Modifications for Students and Visitors

The Canadian government has taken several actions in recent months to control the enrollment of international students:

• Termination of Automatic 10-Year Visa Validity: To allow tourists to stay for longer periods, Canada eliminated the automatic 10-year validity of multiple entry visas.
• Higher Financial Requirements for Study Permits: To provide study permits to international students, the Canadian government has raised the financial requirements. Students now need to provide proof of funds totaling CAD 20,635 as of January 2024, up from the prior minimum of CAD 10,000.
• Required Verification for DLI Acceptance Letters: To combat fraud and improve application integrity, Canadian institutions will be required to use the IRCC to validate acceptance letters starting in December 2023.

Final Thoughts

A move toward more regulated and secure immigration procedures is reflected in Canada’s recent visa and immigration changes, which include the termination of the Student Direct Stream and updated financial requirements. Future students and tourists traversing Canada’s immigration processes will be impacted by these improvements, which highlight Canada’s dedication to justice and integrity.