Canada reaffirms its commitment to providing equal and fair access for all international students in the study permit application process.
The Student Direct Stream (SDS) was introduced in 2018 to expedite permit processing for eligible post-secondary students and was later expanded to legal residents of countries including Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, Senegal, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam. A similar pathway, the Nigeria Student Express (NSE), was available for Nigerian students.
Canada’s objectives are to strengthen program integrity, protect student rights, and ensure fair access to applications, while fostering a positive academic experience. In line with this, the SDS and NSE programs have now concluded as of 2:00 p.m. ET today.
Prospective students are encouraged to apply through the standard study permit process, which accepts Guaranteed Investment Certificates as proof of funds. Canada remains open to welcoming international students from around the world.
For those already in the application process: Eligible applications submitted to the SDS or NSE streams before 2:00 p.m. ET on November 8, 2024, will continue under those streams. Applications received from this time onward will be processed via the regular study permit stream.
This change will not affect eligibility for study permits from countries previously served by the SDS or NSE. All applicants, whether formerly eligible for these programs or not, must meet Canada’s study permit requirements.
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