Canada Ends Expedited Study Permit Processing for International Students

Canada Ends Expedited Study Permit Processing for International Students

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The Canadian government has stopped the expedited study permit processing routes: Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE).

This will impact study permit determination wait times for prospective students from 15 countries.

All international students must apply for study permits using the standard processing stream.

Overview of the Policy Change

In a significant policy shift, the Canadian government has officially decided to end the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE) programs, effective November 8, 2024.

These programs were introduced to streamline and expedite the study permit application process for international students from 15 specific countries.

Under the now-defunct SDS and NSE programs, students from countries like India, Nigeria, China, Pakistan, and Brazil, among others, enjoyed faster processing times for their study permit applications.

However, with the cessation of these programs, all applicants will now be required to follow the standard processing procedures, which may lead to much longer waiting periods for study permits.

This policy change marks a dramatic shift in Canada’s approach to attracting international students, potentially affecting thousands of students who rely on the expedited process to meet their study timelines.

For many international students, this move signifies uncertainty. Students now face an indefinite timeline for their study permits compared to the rapid, sometimes under-20-day, processing speeds they previously enjoyed.

Reasons Behind the Decision

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which oversees immigration and visa-related matters, has outlined several key reasons behind the decision to phase out these expedited study permit programs:

1. Strengthening Program Integrity: The Canadian government has expressed concerns about maintaining the integrity of the study permit process.

   By ending the expedited programs, the government hopes to ensure that only genuine students are fast-tracked for entry to Canada.

   This move aims to reduce fraudulent applications and ensure that the students entering Canada meet all eligibility criteria.

2. Ensuring Equitable Access: The IRCC has stated that the decision to end these programs is part of an effort to ensure a fairer and more equitable distribution of study permits.

   Previously, the expedited processing system under SDS and NSE created disparities between students from countries benefiting from these programs and those who were not.

   The Canadian government aims to level the playing field by giving all international applicants an equal chance of having their permits processed on time.

3. Addressing Student Vulnerability: The government also noted concerns about the vulnerability of some international students under these expedited systems.

   These students, particularly from high-growth regions like South Asia and Africa, were often under pressure to meet strict application timelines.

   The government acknowledged that this added pressure may have been detrimental to students’ well-being, and by harmonizing the permit process, it hopes to mitigate these challenges.

4. Harmonization of the Application Process: The IRCC aims to harmonize the application process for all international students by abolishing the separate processing streams for specific countries.

   The goal is to eliminate distinctions between applicants from different regions and ensure that all students undergo the same process and meet the same standards for permit approval.

Affected Countries and Impacts

The countries most directly affected by the cancellation of SDS and NSE include:

• India: As one of Canada’s most significant sources of international students, India will see the biggest impact, with students now facing significantly longer wait times for study permits.

  Previously, Indian students could receive their study permits within 20 days under the SDS program. With the cancellation, the average processing time has extended to approximately eight weeks.

• Nigeria: Nigerian students who were benefiting from the NSE program are also facing the uncertainty of a delayed application process.

  The discontinuation of this express program could result in longer permit waiting times, making it difficult for students to plan their academic journeys in Canada.

• China, Pakistan, Brazil: These countries, among others, also benefited from the expedited processing options.

  Students from these regions will now experience the shift to a more traditional processing timeline, which could disrupt their enrollment and travel plans.

Sector Reactions

The sudden end of the SDS and NSE programs has sparked widespread concern across Canada’s international education sector.

Many stakeholders, including educational institutions and industry leaders, have voiced dissatisfaction with the policy change’s abrupt nature and potential long-term consequences.

• Humber College: Leaders from institutions like Humber College have raised alarms about the policy change’s impact on Canada’s reputation as a global leader in international education.

  The school expressed concerns that the decision could decrease the number of students choosing Canada as their study destination.

  Expedited processing has been one of the key factors attracting students from countries with high application volumes.

Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan): CICan, which represents over 130 public colleges and institutes across the country, also voiced its concern over the decision.

According to CICan, the termination of these programs would significantly hinder Canada’s competitive edge in attracting international students, especially from high-growth markets like South Asia and Africa.

• Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE): The CBIE, which represents Canada’s international education community, issued a statement calling the cancellation of SDS and NSE a “blow” to the country’s international education strategy.

  The organization worried the policy change would erode Canada’s standing as a top destination for international students.
  

Broader Implications for International Education

The cancellation of the SDS and NSE programs is part of a broader set of immigration reforms by the Canadian government that could have a long-lasting impact on the international education sector.

Critics argue that the move could reduce student diversity and the number of applications from high-growth markets like South Asia and Africa.

The decision to end expedited processing may discourage prospective international students from considering Canada as their destination for higher education, mainly when competing countries offer faster, more streamlined application procedures.

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