Canada Ends Students Direct Stream: What You Should Know

On November 8, 2024, Canada announced that the Student Direct Stream and the Nigeria Student Express would end at precisely 2:00 p.m. the same day. The Student Direct Stream (SDS) was launched in 2018 to provide faster processing for eligible post-secondary students. 

The SDS was open to legal residents of Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam. Meanwhile, prospective university students from Nigeria had a similar process with the Nigeria Student Express (NSE).

Benefits of the Student Direct Stream

The Student Direct Stream (SDS) program had several benefits for international students applying to study in Canada, including:

1. Faster Processing Times: With SDS, students benefited from expedited processing for visa applications, often completed within just 20 days. As a result, eligible students could obtain their study permits more quickly.
2. Simplified Documentation: Additionally, the SDS program offered streamlined documentation requirements. This simplified process helped students avoid the lengthy and complex paperwork typical of regular study permit applications.
3. Increased Approval Rates: Student Direct Stream applicants generally had higher approval rates. This was due to the financial proof and English/French language proficiency requirements aligned with Canada’s student readiness standards.
4. Focus on Key Countries: Canada designed the SDS specifically for students from certain countries. It provided students from those regions with a more efficient pathway to Canadian education.
5. More straightforward Pathway to Permanent Residency: SDS facilitated quicker entry into Canada for those aiming for permanent residency. This allowed them to start gaining Canadian education and experience sooner, which could later support their PR applications.

Canada is ending the SDS and NSE programs to improve integrity and fairness in student applications.

In light of this change, prospective students are now invited to apply through the regular study permit stream. Nevertheless, Canada will continue to welcome international students from all around the world.

What This Means

The cancellation of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE) programs may lead to several impacts for prospective international students:

1. Longer Processing Times: Without SDS and NSE’s expedited processing, students may experience longer wait times for study permit approvals. This could potentially delay their study plans.
2. Increased Documentation Requirements: Students from former SDS and NSE-eligible countries might need to meet more extensive documentation requirements, which complicates the application process, similar to that of regular study permit applicants.
3. Higher Financial and Administrative Burden: The cancellation could lead to higher financial proof requirements or other administrative hurdles. This change impacts students who rely on the simpler SDS and NSE requirements.
4. Uncertainty for Applicants: Many students preparing applications through Student Direct Stream or Nigeria Student Express may now face uncertainty about their options. They may need to adjust their plans and re-evaluate timelines.
5. Potentially Lower Approval Rates: The streamlined criteria under SDS and NSE aimed to align with Canadian standards. Ending these programs might result in stricter assessments, possibly impacting approval rates for certain applicants.
6. Impact on Canada’s Appeal for Certain Countries: Students from previously eligible SDS and NSE countries may now see Canada as a less accessible option for study. This might redirect their interest toward other countries with more streamlined student visa processes.

Conclusion

Canceling the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE) programs will make the application process for Canadian study permits significantly more challenging for many prospective students. With potentially longer processing times, more complex documentation requirements, and higher financial burdens, navigating the study permit process may feel overwhelming.

We recommend reading our blog on how to get a Canadian study permit for insights and guidance. As always, our team of immigration experts is ready to help you answer questions, provide advice, and guide you through the application process so you’re well-prepared for your studentship journey to Canada. Book a free consultation here to get started.