Canada Shuts Door on International Students Pathway to Permanent Residency
Ontario – In a significant shift in immigration policy, Canada has announced the closure of pathways for international students to convert their study permits into permanent residency. The new regulations require that students return to their home countries once their study permits expire, effectively ending a system that once allowed non-citizens with study visas to transition to permanent residency status.
Alongside this change, Canada is also discontinuing the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program and suspending asylum applications linked to these immigration routes.
Marc Miller, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, disclosed these changes in an interview, where he addressed the challenges international students are facing within the current immigration framework. The announcement follows recent demonstrations by international students across the country, who have been advocating for a more streamlined process to convert their study permits into permanent residency or to extend their stays.
In response to student protests, Miller stated, “When people come here and decide they want to be students, there are no guarantees to become permanent residents.” He underlined the difference between study permits and residency permits, asserting that while students have the right to voice their concerns, priority must be given to ensuring balance and order within Canada’s immigration system.
The Student Direct Stream (SDS), established in 2018, was designed to accelerate the processing of study permits, with approvals granted in 20 days for eligible students from 14 countries. The program has since expanded to include applicants from various nations, such as Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, and India, among others. Originally aimed at alleviating political tensions, the SDS program will now be phased out as part of Canada’s revised immigration strategy.
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