Student Direct Stream (SDS)

Student Direct Stream (SDS)

Update from November 8, 2024: Message from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

IRCC is ending the Student Direct Stream (SDS) as of today, November 8, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. (EST).

This decision aligns with a series of measures aimed at strengthening the integrity of the International Student Program, reducing student vulnerability, and ensuring all international students have fair and equal access to the application process and a positive experience in Canada. IRCC regularly reviews all its immigration programs to ensure their integrity and effectiveness and to serve the best interests of the Canadian public.

To this end, the Ministerial Instructions (Ministerial Instructions on the Student Direct Stream) taking effect at 2:00 p.m. (EST) on November 8, 2024, terminate the SDS for all study permit applications received from that date onwards. As a result, any new study permit application received by IRCC from 2:00 p.m. on November 8, 2024, will be processed under the standard study permit stream.