Maple News reports that Canada has broadened its Student Direct Stream (SDS) program to include seven additional countries in a move aimed at accelerating study permit processing for international students. The newly added countries are Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Antigua and Barbuda, Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
The SDS is a fast-track student visa processing program launched by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2018, initially targeting applicants from India, China, the Philippines, and Vietnam. In 2019, it expanded to include Pakistan, Senegal, and Morocco. With this latest expansion, the SDS program now serves students from 14 countries.
The SDS offers streamlined and expedited processing of study permits—often in as little as 20 calendar days—compared to the standard processing times which can stretch over several months. However, applicants must meet specific requirements to qualify. These include a Letter of Acceptance from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI), proof of full tuition payment for the first academic year, a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of at least $10,000 CAD, recent educational transcripts, proof of a recent medical exam (in certain cases), and language proficiency scores (minimum IELTS score of 6.0 in each band, or CLB 7 on the TEF for French-speaking candidates).
Canada’s DLIs are accredited universities, colleges, and other post-secondary institutions approved by provincial and territorial governments to host international students. A Letter of Acceptance from such an institution is a mandatory prerequisite for applying for a Canadian study permit.
According to IRCC data, the impact of Brazil, Colombia, and Peru joining the SDS is expected to be significant. Brazilian enrollment in Canadian institutions has increased tenfold over the past two decades, while Colombian student numbers have quadrupled. Peru has also seen fivefold growth in the same period. In 2019 alone, nearly 16,000 study permits were issued to residents of the seven newly added SDS countries, with the majority granted to students from Brazil and Colombia.
For international students, the SDS provides more predictable and faster processing times, making the path to studying in Canada more straightforward. For IRCC and educational institutions, the program enhances the integrity of student immigration by confirming that applicants are genuinely committed to their academic pursuits in Canada.
Canada continues to position itself as a global leader in international education. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the country hosted over 642,000 international students in 2019—ranking third globally in foreign student attraction. With the continued expansion of SDS, Canada is reaffirming its commitment to creating more accessible and efficient pathways for future global talent.