Canada Ends ‘Student Direct Stream’ Visa Programme, Here’s How It Affects Indians
Canada has announced the immediate termination of its popular fast-track study visa programme, the Student Direct Stream (SDS), a move that is expected to significantly affect thousands of international students, particularly those from India, PTI reported.
The SDS, which was introduced in 2018, provided faster processing times and higher approval rates for study visa applications. Under the programme, students from select countries, including India, China, and the Philippines, could receive their study permits within a few weeks, instead of the usual processing time that could stretch for months. However, this scheme was ended on Friday, and all applications will now be processed under the standard study permit stream, which typically involves longer waiting periods.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had already signalled a shift in Canada’s immigration policy in September, announcing a reduction in the number of international student permits issued. “We’re granting 35 per cent fewer international student permits this year. And next year, that number’s going down by another 10 per cent,” Trudeau stated on X (formerly Twitter). He added, “Immigration is an advantage for our economy – but when bad actors abuse the system and take advantage of students, we crack down.”
The government’s decision comes amid an ongoing diplomatic dispute between India and Canada. According to the Indian High Commission in Canada, India remains the largest source country for foreign students, with approximately 427,000 Indian students currently studying in Canada.
In a statement, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) explained that the changes aim to “strengthen programme integrity, address student vulnerability, and give all students equal and fair access to the application process, as well as a positive academic experience.” The IRCC added, “Canada is committed to giving all international students equal and fair access to the application process for study permits.”
The SDS was designed to expedite the application process for post-secondary students from specific countries, including India, China, and the Philippines. The initiative allowed students to bypass the standard processing time, typically a few months, and receive approval within just 20 business days. Now, with the end of the programme, applicants will face a wait of up to eight weeks for their study permits, according to immigration portal immigrationnewscanada.ca.
The SDS was also open to students from other countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Morocco, and Vietnam. In a similar move, the Nigeria Student Express (NSE) programme for students from Nigeria has also been ended. The IRCC stated that all eligible applications received before the cut-off time of 2:00 pm ET on Friday (00:30 IST Saturday) would still be processed under the SDS and NSE streams.
While the decision to end the SDS has raised concerns, the IRCC clarified that prospective students could still apply through the regular study permit stream, with Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) accepted as proof of financial support.
The decision marks a significant shift in Canada’s approach to immigration, with the government scaling back its welcoming stance for international students and workers. On October 24, Canada’s Immigration Minister Marc Miller outlined a new strategy, revealing that the country plans to admit approximately 395,000 permanent residents in 2025, a nearly 20 per cent reduction from the expected number of 485,000 in 2024. Additionally, the number of temporary immigrants, including international students and foreign workers, is set to drop to 446,000 in 2025 and 2026, down from 800,000 this year. By 2027, Canada plans to admit just 17,400 new non-permanent residents, according to the new immigration policy.
These changes have sparked concerns among students and education professionals, particularly in India, where Canada has long been a popular destination for higher education. With the cancellation of the SDS, students will face longer waiting periods and greater uncertainty in their plans to study in Canada.
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(Inputs from PTI)