The Canadian government has announced the immediate termination of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) initiative, a program designed to expedite study permit processing for international students. 

The announcement, made by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on Friday, marks the end of a program that has been in place since 2018.

Originally launched to provide faster processing for eligible post-secondary students, the SDS initiative was expanded to include legal residents from 14 countries, notably India. The program was praised for its quicker processing times and high approval rates, making it a popular choice among international students.

However, the IRCC stated that the decision to scrap the SDS, effective November 8, is part of Canada’s commitment to strengthen program integrity and address student vulnerability. The government aims to ensure equal and fair access to the application process and enhance the overall academic experience for all students.

Study permits submitted after the SDS announcement will now be processed under the regular stream, which may lead to longer wait times for applicants. Naresh Chavda, president of Globayan Immigration Corporation, highlighted the impact of this change, noting that the SDS stream was particularly beneficial for students from India and China, providing a simplified evaluation process for those who met specific language and financial requirements.