The Canadian government on Friday announced it is discontinuing its Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa program for international students that was launched in 2018.

Why SDS was launched?

The Student Direct Stream (SDS) was launched in 2018 to provide faster processing for eligible post-secondary students.

The SDS was eventually opened to legal residents of Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam.

"Prospective university students from Nigeria had a similar process with the Nigeria Student Express (NSE)," read the statement issued by the Canadian government.

The Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE) initiatives ended as of 2:00 p.m. ET on November 8.

What will happen to those students who have applied for it?

As per the government website, eligible SDS and NSE applications received before 2:00 p.m. ET on November 8, 2024, will be processed under these streams.

"Study permit applications submitted on or after this time will be processed under the regular study permit stream," the statement said.