Canada has announced the closure of a key pathway for international students to transition from study permits to permanent residency, marking a significant shift in the country’s immigration policy.
The government is also ending the popular Student Direct Stream (SDS) program, which expedited study permit processing for students from select countries.
The decision, confirmed by Immigration Minister Marc Miller, means that international students will no longer be able to rely on their time studying in Canada as a guaranteed route to permanent residency.
Under the new regulations, students must return to their home countries once their study permits expire, with no automatic extensions or transitions to permanent residency status.
The SDS program, which was launched in 2018, allowed eligible students from 14 countries, including India, China, and the Philippines, to have their study permit applications processed in as little as 20 days.
Initially introduced to ease political tensions and attract international talent, the program will now be phased out as part of broader changes to Canada’s immigration strategy.
The announcement comes in the wake of protests by international students across Canada, who had been advocating for easier pathways to stay in the country after completing their studies.
However, Minister Miller stated that while students have the right to voice their concerns, Canada’s immigration system must remain balanced and orderly, emphasizing that study permits do not guarantee a route to permanent residency.
