Student Direct Stream (SDS) — closed
The Student Direct Stream stopped accepting applications on 8 November 2024 at 2 p.m. ET. There is no successor fast-track. Every study permit application, from every country, is now processed through the regular stream — and a surprising number of websites and agents still have not updated.
What SDS was, and what happened
SDS was a faster processing route for students from a fixed list of countries — India, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Pakistan, Morocco, Senegal, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Vincent, and later others. In exchange for a $10,000 guaranteed investment certificate, upfront first-year tuition, an approved language score and a medical done in advance, applicants got a much shorter processing standard.
IRCC closed it without a replacement, citing fairness across applicants. Applications submitted on or after 8 November 2024 at 2 p.m. ET have been processed as regular study permits. Nigeria Student Express closed at the same time.
If an agent has told you to buy a GIC "for SDS", stop. A GIC is still a perfectly good way to show proof of funds — but it is not a shortcut, it does not speed anything up, and the amount required is no longer $10,000.
What replaced it: nothing, and that is the point
There is a single study permit stream. The documents that used to be SDS-specific are now simply good practice for a strong regular application: a clear proof-of-funds trail, an approved language test, an upfront medical where one is needed, and evidence that the programme makes sense for you. Applications are assessed on their merits, and a well-built regular application from India or Nigeria is not disadvantaged by the absence of SDS.
- ● Funds required: $22,895 for a single applicant, plus first-year tuition — not the old $10,000 GIC figure.
- ● A provincial attestation letter is now required for most applicants; it did not exist when SDS launched.
- ● Processing is country-specific and published live by IRCC, ranging from about a week to several months.
- ● Fees are unchanged: $150 for the permit, $85 for biometrics.
What this actually changed for applicants
Two things. First, timelines became less predictable, so applying early for a September or January intake matters more than it did. Second, the quality of the application matters more, because there is no procedural fast lane compensating for a thin file. Refusals in the current environment cluster around unclear purpose of study, weak financial evidence and programmes that do not fit the applicant's background.
Those are all fixable before submission, and that is where a review earns its money.
Where to go next
Our regular study permit page sets out what a current application needs, and the study permit overview covers attestation letters, the 2026 caps and what leads to a PGWP. If someone has already taken money from you for an SDS application, talk to a licensed RCIC — you may still be able to convert the work into a proper regular application.
Reviewed by a licensed RCIC · Last updated 13 August 2026. Immigration rules change often — confirm anything time-sensitive with us or on canada.ca.
Looking for related services? See our full Study Permits overview or all services.
Why Choose Us?
Personalized Assessment
- Understanding your Canadian immigration needs and goals.
- Assessing eligibility across multiple programs.
- Recommending the best pathway for your situation.
- Answering all questions and addressing concerns.
Tailored Approach
- Custom Canadian immigration plan suited to you.
- Clear proposal outlining services and payment structure: 50% before processing, 50% before submission.
- Comprehensive checklist after initial payment.
Application Fulfillment
- Dedicated case manager assigned to your file.
- Strong application prepared within 7–10 business days.
- Review and final approval before submission.
Trusted Partnership
- Kept informed at every stage from submission to decision.
- Ongoing support and guidance until you reach your goals.
- Available for status updates at any time.
Ready to take the next step?
Book an appointment with our licensed RCIC team. We'll review your case, identify your best pathway, and outline the next steps.
Frequently asked questions
When exactly did SDS close?
8 November 2024 at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Applications received after that moment have been processed as regular study permits. IRCC did not announce a replacement, and none has appeared since.
Do I still need a $10,000 GIC?
No. The $10,000 GIC was an SDS requirement. Under the regular stream you must show enough funds for tuition, travel and living costs — currently $22,895 for a single applicant for twelve months outside Quebec. A GIC is still an accepted and convenient way to demonstrate that, but the amount and the purpose are different.
Is there any faster route now?
No formal one. What genuinely shortens the timeline is applying early, submitting a complete application with no missing documents, doing biometrics promptly, and getting an upfront medical where one is needed. There is no stream, no fee and no agent that can jump the queue.
I applied under SDS before it closed. What happens to my application?
Applications properly submitted before 8 November 2024 at 2 p.m. ET were processed under SDS. If yours is still outstanding after this long, something has gone wrong or a request has been missed, and it is worth having the file reviewed.
Why do so many websites still advertise SDS?
Because immigration content ages badly and few sites are maintained. It is a useful test of who you are dealing with: a practice that still advertises SDS in 2026 is not tracking the rules it is charging you to navigate.
Still unsure how this applies to your case? Book an appointment with a licensed RCIC.
More Study Permit services
Other pathways we handle in this area — or talk to a licensed RCIC about which fits your case.
Waymark runs on the Nova System platform — built in Abbotsford, BC by practising RCICs.