North News
Chandigarh, November 9
Canada has announced the immediate termination of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE) programs, which aimed to expedite study permit processing for eligible international students. This policy shift impacts Indian students significantly, as many had relied on these fast-track programs to streamline their path to Canadian universities.
The decision comes as Canada implements broader changes to international student policies. The government has capped new study permits at 437,000 for 2025, covering all education levels, including postgraduate programs. Additionally, new rules in 2024 introduced a two-year cap on study permits and reduced the overall number of permits by 35%.
The recent ApplyBoard report indicates that Indian student visa approvals are projected to revert to 2018–2019 levels, with an estimated 231,000 study permits likely to be granted by the end of 2024. This marks a sharp drop from the 436,000 approvals in 2023, with first-half approvals in 2024 already down by 50% for Indian applicants. The reduction aligns with Canada’s increased financial requirements for student applicants, which has dissuaded many from pursuing studies there.
Launched in 2018, the SDS offered accelerated processing for applicants from countries including India, China, and the Philippines. Similarly, Nigeria’s NSE program provided a streamlined visa process for Nigerian students. Now, all applicants must use the regular study permit stream, where Guaranteed Investment Certificates are accepted as proof of financial support.
