Canada Closes Student Direct Stream for Pakistani Students

We have a major update for the Pakistani students planning to study in Canada. Canada closes Student Direct Stream (SDS) program for the international workers and students. Canada has recently announced this significant change to its study permit application process that will impact the students planning to pursue higher education in Canada, including students from Pakistan too. From now on, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is no longer accepting study permit applications under the Student Direct Stream (SDS). Get to know more about the closure of Student Direct Stream further below from this page.

The Closure of the SDS Program

Introduced in 2018, the Canada Student Direct Stream was launched with the aim of reformation the study permit process for eligible post secondary students, offering faster processing visa time. The SDS program was available to students from several countries, including Pakistan, India, China, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, and Nigeria etc. Under this initiative, students enjoyed higher approval rates and quicker processing times compared to the regular study permit application process.

However, in a recent move to strengthen the integrity of its programs and ensure equal access for all international students, Canada has decided to discontinue both the SDS and the Nigeria Student Express (NSE) programs. This termination of Student Direct Stream has come as a shock to students and officials in participating countries who relied on these faster application streams to expedite their study permit approvals.

What This Means for Pakistani Students

With the SDS program now closed, students from Pakistan who have planned to apply for a Canadian study permit will have to go through the regular study permit process. While this regular stream continues to accept Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) as proof of financial support, students should also expect longer visa processing time.

It is important for wishful students to be prepared for potential delays and to plan their applications well in advance. The regular Canada study permit stream may require additional documents and details, so applicants should carefully review the new requirements before submitting their study permit applications.

Canada’s Commitment to International Students

Aside from this major changes, Canada remains committed to providing opportunities to international students and workers, including those from Pakistan too. The Canadian government continues to welcome students from around the globe, offering them a diverse, inclusive and positive academic and working environment in Canada. Marc Miller, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada also said that:

“Our immigration system has to preserve its integrity and be well managed and sustainable and as we look forward, we will do everything it takes to attain that goal and set newcomers up for success.”

Recent Changes to Canada's International Student Program

In addition to the closure of SDS and NSE programs, Canada has also implemented several new measures to manage the arrival of temporary residents, including study and work permit holders. These changes will affect both students and workers, including those from Pakistan. These key changes include:

• A Cap on Study Permits: For the year 2025, Canada has set a cap of 437,000 new study permits, which includes master’s and PhD students. This denotes a 10% reduction from the target of 2024.
• Eligibility Updates for PGWP: New criteria of language and field of study have been introduced for students pursuing a Post Graduation Work Permits (PGWP).
• Limited Work Permits for Spouses: There will be limited availability of work permits for the spouses/ family of international students.
• Increased Cost of Living Requirement: The cost of living requirement for students applying for a Canadian study permit has also been revised.

What Prospective Students Need to Know

With these changes in place, it is essential for Pakistani students and other international applicants to stay informed about the latest changes in Canada’s study permit process. While the closure of Student Direct Stream program may have introduced new challenges, students are still encouraged to apply through the regular study permit stream and explore the diverse openings that Canada has to offer.

We advise all wishful applicants to prepare well in advance while making sure that they meet all the necessary requirements to avoid delays in the Canada study permit application process. As Canada continues to attract international students, the country remains a leading destination for higher education in spite of these recent policy changes.