Canada Halts Student Direct Stream Visa Program Amid Housing Crisis
The termination aims to ensure fair access to study permits for all international students as Canada grapples with resource shortages.
- The Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa program, launched in 2018, expedited study permits for students from 14 countries, including India and China.
- The program's discontinuation is part of Canada's efforts to address its housing crisis and manage immigration levels.
- Applications submitted before 2:00 pm ET on November 8, 2024, will still be processed under the SDS, while later applications will follow the regular stream.
- The SDS program previously offered faster processing times and higher approval rates, which will now be unavailable to students from the affected countries.
- The decision reflects broader Canadian policy shifts towards reducing immigrant intake amid economic challenges and political pressures.
Hindustan Times 
NDTV 
