The Government of Canada has officially expanded its popular Student Direct Stream (SDS) service to Pakistan, which will enable eligible students to have their study permit applications processed in as little as three weeks.
Pakistan is now the fifth country whose citizens may send applications through SDS. Students from China, India, the Philippines, and Vietnam have been part of the SDS service since it launched in 2018.
According to Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Ahmed Hussen, the Pakistan expansion stems from the Canadian government’s goal of attracting students from a more diverse range of countries:
“Canada’s diverse, welcoming society, high-quality educational institutions and opportunities to work or immigrate after graduation have made Canada a leading destination of choice from around the world,” Hussen noted in a statement on the Government of Canada website. “By expanding the Student Direct Stream to a more diverse range of students, we’re enhancing the tremendous cultural, social and economic benefits that international students provide.”
Benefits of the Student Direct Stream
Students who apply for their visa under SDS enjoy much quicker processing times but must meet stricter requirements.
- A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of C$10,000
- Meeting language test requirements in English or French
- Proof of paid tuition fees for first year of study
SDS is a way for qualified international students to have a streamlined experience when they apply to study in Canada. According to the Government of Canada, nearly 54,000 former students transitioned to permanent residence in 2018–an all-time high.
Study permit growth for Pakistani students has been slow the past few years, with only a little over 2,000 new permits granted in 2018. With SDS now in effect for the rest of 2019, it will be interesting to see if Canada attracts a record number of Pakistani international students this year.
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