IRCC has officially ended the Student Direct Stream (SDS) for study permits, effective immediately. The SDS allowed faster processing for eligible applicants from 14 countries. Alongside this, the Nigeria Student Express (NSE) program, which served a similar purpose exclusively for Nigerian nationals, has also been discontinued.
What Was the Student Direct Stream (SDS)?
The SDS was an expedited study permit application route that required applicants to meet specific criteria, including:
- Achieving minimum language scores
- Submitting proof of funds in advance
- Undergoing a medical examination
- Paying tuition for at least one academic year upfront
These measures aimed to streamline the process for qualifying applicants, expediting their study permit approval.
The 14 countries eligible for SDS were:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Brazil
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- India
- Morocco
- Pakistan
- Peru
- Philippines
- SenegalSt. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Vietnam
Reason for the Closure
According to IRCC, the decision was made to ensure equity in the application process, as other nationalities did not have access to these accelerated options. Going forward, all international students, regardless of nationality, will apply through the standard study permit process.
