Canada Ends Study Permit Pathway to Permanent Residency

Canada has officially ended the pathway that allowed international students to transition from study permits to permanent residency, as part of its latest immigration policy changes. Under these new regulations, foreign students will be required to return to their home countries once their study visas expire.

Additionally, Canada is discontinuing the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program and stopping asylum claims linked to these immigration routes. This shift in policy was confirmed by Marc Miller, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, during an interview on Tuesday, where he outlined the challenges facing international students and the country’s broader immigration strategy.

The policy change comes after protests by international students across Canada, who had called for a more straightforward process for transitioning from student status to permanent residency or for an extension of their stay. In response, Miller emphasized that while international students have the right to protest, there are no guarantees of permanent residency for those who come to Canada on study permits. He reiterated that study permits are distinct from resident permits and clarified that Canada’s immigration priorities focus on maintaining balance and order within the system.

Launched in 2018, the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program was designed to expedite study permit processing for students from 14 countries, cutting down the wait time to as little as 20 days. The program was later expanded to include students from countries such as Brazil, China, India, Morocco, and Vietnam. Originally aimed at easing political tensions, the SDS will now be phased out under the country’s updated immigration policies.