Canada | Certain student visa routes closed

The Canadian government has closed the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE) programs as of Nov. 8.

Key Points:

• The SDS was launched in 2018 to provide faster processing for eligible post-secondary students.
• Eligible SDS and NSE applications received before 2 p.m. ET on Nov. 8 will be processed under these streams. Applications submitted on or after this time will be processed under the regular study permit stream.

Additional Information: 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. Prospective university students from Nigeria had a similar process with the NSE.

Officials stated that this change will not adversely affect eligibility for those who wish to apply for a study permit from a country where the SDS or NSE initiatives have been offered. All students, regardless of whether they were eligible for the SDS or NSE, are invited to apply through the regular study permit stream and are required to meet Canada’s study permit application requirements.

BAL Analysis: Canadian officials stated the goal of the closure is designed to strengthen program integrity, address student vulnerability and give all students equal and fair access to the application process as well as a positive academic experience.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

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