Canada ends popular student program, to impact 14 nations including India

Ottawa, November 10, 2024: The Canadian government has officially ended its Student Direct Stream (SDS) program for international students, a popular initiative that provided a streamlined application process for students from countries including India, China, Pakistan, and Brazil. This sudden move, which took effect on November 8 at 2 PM (local time), could significantly impact thousands of prospective students who were planning to study in Canada.

The SDS program, launched in 2018 by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), offered faster processing for eligible students from various countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, Senegal, and Vietnam. Additionally, Canada has ended the Nigeria Student Express (NSE) program for Nigerian students. Any applications received before the cut-off will still be processed under the SDS and NSE guidelines.

According to a statement by IRCC, “Canada’s goal is to strengthen program integrity, address student vulnerability, and ensure all students have equal and fair access to the application process, as well as a positive academic experience.”

In light of the SDS termination, all future international student applications will be processed under Canada’s regular study permit procedures. Applicants will now need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or a Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) to attend designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada. IRCC emphasized that this change will not negatively impact the experiences of international students.

This development comes amidst rising diplomatic tensions between Canada and India. Recently, Canada accused India of involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a claim strongly denied by New Delhi as “absurd” and “motivated.” Diplomatic strain has escalated, with both countries recalling diplomats and exchanging criticisms.

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has openly criticized Canada for allegedly providing safe harbor to individuals linked to organized crime and extremism under the guise of free speech. However, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller responded by defending Canada’s immigration policies, stating, “We’re not lax…the Indian foreign minister is entitled to his opinion, but it’s just not accurate.”

As diplomatic complexities unfold, Canada’s recent immigration changes mark a significant shift for prospective international students, who must now navigate the traditional study permit process.