Canada Ends Pathway for International Students to Transition from Study Permits to Permanent Residency
Canada has officially closed the option for international students to convert their study permits into permanent residency, according to the country’s updated immigration policies.
Under the new regulations, international students must leave Canada once their study permits expire, ending the previous system that allowed non-citizens to use their study status as a stepping stone to permanent residency. Additionally, Canada is discontinuing the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program and suspending asylum applications related to these immigration routes.
This shift was confirmed by Marc Miller, Canada’s Immigration Minister, in a recent interview where he addressed the country’s evolving immigration strategy and the issues facing international students.
The change follows widespread protests from international students across Canada, who had called for a more straightforward pathway to permanent residency or at least an extension to their stay. In response, Minister Miller stated, “Students come here with the expectation of studying, but there’s no guarantee they will become permanent residents.”
He also clarified that study permits are distinct from permanent residency permits, emphasizing that while students are entitled to voice their concerns, the main focus of Canadian immigration policy is to ensure balance and fairness.
The SDS, which was introduced in 2018 to expedite study permit processing for students from 14 specific countries, will also be phased out as part of this broader policy revision. Initially designed to address political tensions, the program will end, impacting students from countries such as India, China, and the Philippines, among others.
