Canada ends expedited study permit processing for international students

Canada began to offer fast-tracked study permit processing to international students from select countries in 2018 with the launch of the Student Direct Stream (SDS). Over time, the SDS expanded to include more countries in 2019, 2020, and 2021, and a separate Nigeria Student Express stream (NSE) was launched in 2020.

But Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is now closing the SDS and NSE streams and will require all international students to apply though the regular study permit process, as per an official announcement from 8 November 2024:

“Canada's goal is to strengthen programme integrity, address student vulnerability, and give all students equal and fair access to the application process, as well as a positive academic experience. To meet this commitment, the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE) initiatives have ended as of 2:00 pm ET [8 November 2024].”

Streams were first developed through sector/government collaboration

Andrew Champagne, director of programmes and partnerships at Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), said: "The Student Direct Stream was the result of many years of innovative collaboration between Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan). Earlier versions of the programme enhanced information sharing and laid the foundation for the creation of the DLI compliance reporting portal. The Student GIC, initially developed in partnership with Scotiabank, ensured that students had access to needed funds to support themselves in Canada and other requirements, like language test results and police certificates, inspired confidence and contributed to higher approval rates and reduced processing times. Though primarily utilised by applicants from India, SDS reduced student vulnerability and contributed to a more predictable process for students and institutions. CICan remains committed to working with IRCC and member institutions on innovative policy solutions with a focus on programme integrity and continues to stress the need for better information sharing between IRCC and DLIs across Canada.”

Who will be affected?

Effective immediately, the closure of SDS and NSE means that students from the following countries – who previously could count on processing times of (often) less than 20 days if they met requirements for proof of funds, medical exams, and language proficiency – may now face longer processing times.

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

CIC News reports: “As of November 8th, average processing times for applications submitted from India is now eight weeks.”

No warning, much confusion

Canadian Bureau for International Education President and CEO Larissa Bezo said, "CBIE like other stakeholders, was taken by surprise with this announcement. The Student Direct Stream and Nigeria Student Express were both important mechanisms for facilitating study permit processing from student recruitment markets of key interest to Canadian institutions. This change represents yet another blow to the sector which is already reeling from so many significant policy changes over the course of the past year. This change will further signify to prospective students in the affected countries, that Canada is closing its doors."

"The Canadian government has its reasons for making so many policy changes so quickly," added Andrew Ness, dean of international education at Humber College. "What concerns me most is the myriad ways in which this has impacted our students and representatives around the world. This is a great example – an announced change without any warning or preparation, despite the immigration department having had the chance to tell the national organisation responsible for international education over the five days before the announcement during the [annual CBIE conference]. There were multiple meetings with IRCC officials during the conference and we were told that, 'no major changes were expected.' Then literally days later, this happened. It's unfair to our students, to our representatives, and to the image of Canada as a thoughtful, compassionate, considerate destination for studies."

Illume Student Advisory Services CEO Mike Henniger said: "With blow after blow to Canada’s education brand, it is becoming tough to untangle one issue from another. The closing of SDS has left a lot of students mid-application and now scrambling to adjust. Our agent partners are telling us that they are concerned about how much more time and effort applications will require going forward. Personally, I have been frustrated by the disparity between regions like South Asia and Africa, especially with timelines and visa denials. In Africa, where we have 25 staff members supporting our clients, we’re dealing with endless deferrals, visa denials for great candidates, and a chaotic admissions process overall. Many institutions have shifted their focus towards students who seem 'easier' to recruit, often at the cost of diversity. It is my hope that the cancellation of SDS will mean a quicker, more transparent process that treats all students equally in their goal of studying in Canada."

Reaction in India

The closure of SDS has already been widely covered in India, where immigration lawyer Shamsher Singh Sandhu said to the New Indian Express:

"As Canada has terminated the Student Direct Stream (SDS) with immediate effect it will have adverse impact on the students going from India to Canada, especially from Punjab. Due to this [change], 90 per cent of prospective students…will be affected.’’

A prospective Indian student planning to study in Canada said to India’s Economic Times:

"I was trying to go to Canada, but the situation is that Canada has stopped the [SDS route]. That was not right because many [Indians] want to go abroad for studies and the politics that is being used in this is also wrong. It's not right to stop visas midway. There are so many opportunities and dream jobs we will miss out on.”

The end of the SDS and NSE streams is the latest example of the Canadian government’s tightening of its immigration system and greater scrutiny of Canada’s international education sector.

For additional background, please see:

• "Financial impact of new immigration settings in Canada already being measured in the billions"
• "Canada: Sector survey says collaboration between governments and institutions essential to avoid “long-term damage to the sector”
• "Canada announces updates for foreign enrolment cap and post-study work visa"