Canada Cancels SDS Visa Program Ended for India and 13 Other Countries

The Government of Canada has officially announced the termination of its Student Direct Stream (SDS) program, which was widely popular among Indian students for expedited processing of study permits. Effective immediately, students from India and 13 other countries who previously benefited from faster application handling through the SDS will now have to apply through the regular study permit system.

Overview of Changes

• Closure of SDS Program: The Government of Canada has ended the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program, which expedited study permit processing for students from India and 13 other countries.
• Effective Date: The change is immediate, and all applications will now follow the standard study permit process.
• Reason for Closure: The closure aims to strengthen program integrity, address student vulnerabilities, and ensure equal access to the application process, as stated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Background of SDS Program

Launch: Introduced in 2018 by IRCC.

Countries Affected

• SDS benefited students from 14 countries, including India, China, Brazil, Pakistan, the Philippines, and others.

Conditions for SDS Approval

• Meeting language requirements.
• Financial commitments.
• Acceptance letter from a Canadian institution.

Processing Time

• Reduced to 20 days for applicants who met criteria, compared to several weeks under the regular process.

Reasons Behind the Closure

• Increasing Resource Pressure: Canada’s growing foreign student population has led to pressure on housing, services, and resources.
• Policy Changes: The 2024 policy revisions aim to cap the number of new study permits at 437,000 for 2025.

Stricter Rules

• More stringent academic and language criteria for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility.
• Reduced work permits for spouses of international students.
• Increased financial proof requirements.

Long-term Impact

• The aim is to balance foreign education sector benefits with domestic resource management.

Impact on Indian Students

SDS’s Popularity

• SDS was the preferred option for Indian students, with 80% using it in 2022.
• Approval Rates:
• SDS approval rates for Indian students were significantly higher (76% in 2023) compared to the traditional stream (8%).
• During the pandemic, SDS approvals were three times higher than regular applicants.

Shift to Regular Process

• With the closure of SDS, Indian students now face longer and more complex visa processing times.

Canada’s Immigration Strategy

2025 Study Permit Target

• Canada aims to issue 437,000 study permits in 2025, a decrease from the 485,000 target in 2024.

Multiple-Entry Visa Changes

• New rules give immigration officers discretion to issue either single-entry or multiple-entry visas.
• Officers will consider factors such as the purpose of the visit, the applicant’s financial stability, health, and ties to the home country.