The Government of Canada has announced the closure of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE) programs, effective November 8, 2024.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) stated that study permits for international students will now be processed through the regular stream, with standard processing times applicable to all applicants.
The SDS program, launched in 2018, offered faster study permit processing for students from 14 countries, including India, China, Brazil, Morocco, and Pakistan.
The NSE program, a similar initiative, specifically served Nigerian students seeking expedited study permit approvals. Both programs required applicants to meet specific documentation criteria and reside in their eligible countries.
The decision to close these programs aims to provide equal opportunities for all international students, regardless of their country of citizenship or residence.
Under the regular study permit stream, processing times will no longer differ by student location, and fewer documents may be required, depending on the applicant’s country of residence.
While the closure ends the expedited options, international students can still apply to study in Canada. The main difference is that the specialized requirements previously associated with the SDS and NSE programs have been removed.
Students must now meet the general criteria for the regular study permit stream, which includes proof of financial support, acceptance from a designated learning institution, and other documentation listed on the IRCC website.
Applications submitted through the SDS or NSE programs on November 8, 2024, will still be processed under the expedited streams. However, the regular stream will assess applications received after this time.
The IRCC advises prospective international students to review the updated requirements for study permit applications. Staying informed about the necessary documents and processing timelines will be crucial to ensure successful applications under the revised system.
The post Canada Ends SDS and NSE Programs for International Students appeared first on CI News | Latest Canada Immigration News.
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