Canada Ends Fast-Track Student Visa Program

On 8th November 2024, Canada terminated its popular Student Direct Stream (SDS) program, impacting thousands of applicants seeking faster visa processing.

Key Points

End of the SDS Program: Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the end of the SDS program, aiming to “strengthen program integrity” and ensure equitable access to study permits for all international students.
SDS Program Overview: Introduced in 2018, SDS provided expedited visa processing, especially for Indian students, who benefited from approval rates over 70% compared to a low 10% in the regular visa route.
Impact on Indian Students: Indian students make up Canada’s largest cohort of foreign students, with 4.27 lakh in 2023, 60% of whom used the SDS route for faster processing within 20 days, as opposed to the regular eight-week period.
Consultants and Student Concerns: Indian visa consultants express concern, noting the SDS route has been widely used in states like Punjab, where students aspiring to study in Canada may face longer wait times and additional hurdles.
Government’s Stance on International Student Influx: Canada plans to cap new study permits to 437,000 by 2025 to reduce pressure on housing and services.
Tighter Regulations for International Students: Canada’s policy shift includes stricter language and academic criteria for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility, limited work permits for spouses, and higher financial documentation requirements. Multiple-entry visas will also see reduced availability.