Canada Halts Student Direct Stream Visa Program Amid Housing and Resource Crisis

 Student Direct Stream Visa Program update: On Friday, November 8, Canada announced the suspension of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa program for international students. The decision, made by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), is a response to ongoing challenges in the country, including the housing shortage and resource strain.

What is the Student Direct Stream (SDS)?

Introduced in 2018, the

SDS program was designed to expedite the study permit process for international students. It allowed students from specific countries to have their applications processed faster, reducing waiting times significantly. The program was targeted at students from 14 countries:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Brazil
• China
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• India
• Morocco
• Pakistan
• Peru
• Philippines
• Senegal
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Vietnam

Why Has the SDS Program Been Discontinued?

The Government of Canada explained that the decision to discontinue the SDS program aims to:

• Strengthen the integrity of the application process.
• Address the vulnerability of students.
• Ensure equal and fair access for all international students applying for study permits.

The IRCC website clarified that the suspension of the program does not mean students will lose their opportunity to apply. Applications received before

2:00 pm ET on November 8 will still be processed under the SDS program. However, any applications submitted after that time will be handled through the regular study permit stream, which may involve a longer processing time.

What Does This Mean for Students?

While the SDS program had higher approval rates and faster processing times, the discontinuation of this program means that students from the 14 affected countries will now face a more traditional and slower study permit application process. This includes additional documentation and longer waiting times for approvals. Despite the change, the Government of Canada reassured applicants that this decision would not affect their eligibility to apply for a study permit if they are from one of the countries previously included in the SDS program. However, all students must meet the standard requirements for obtaining a Canadian study permit.

Why Now?

The decision to halt the SDS program comes at a time when Canada is grappling with significant economic challenges. The country is facing a housing crisis, rising costs of living, and a strained healthcare system, which has made it increasingly difficult to accommodate the growing number of immigrants, including international students. This policy change is seen as a way to manage the increasing pressure on Canada’s resources while still maintaining a fair and transparent immigration process.

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SUMMARY

On November 8, Canada decided to stop the Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa program, which made it easier and faster for students from 14 countries to get study permits. The countries affected include India, China, Brazil, and others. The Canadian government said the reason for stopping the program is to ensure fairness and address issues like the housing crisis, rising living costs, and overburdened public services. From now on, all study permit applications will go through the regular process, which may take longer than before. Students who applied before 2:00 pm ET on November 8 will still have their applications processed under the SDS program. But any new applications after that will be handled the usual way. Despite this change, the government reassured students that their eligibility to study in Canada will not be affected. They just need to meet the regular requirements for a study permit. This change is part of Canada’s effort to manage the increasing number of people moving to the country while dealing with its economic challenges.