Canada has announced it is ending the fast-track visa program for international students known as the Student Direct Stream (SDS). This policy change took effect immediately on Friday and is expected to affect thousands of students from various countries, including a large number from India. The SDS program, introduced in 2018, allowed students from specific countries to apply for study permits with a shorter processing time, usually within 20 business days. Without SDS, students may now face wait times of up to eight weeks or longer, depending on the application load and processing timelines.
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The SDS program was created to speed up visa approvals for students coming from India, China, the Philippines, and a few other countries, allowing them to begin their studies in Canada sooner. Over the years, it has grown in popularity among Indian students in particular, as India is currently the largest source of international students in Canada. If reports are to go by, there are approximately 427,000 Indian students currently studying in Canada. With the end of the SDS program, students will now have to use the standard application process.This announcement aligns with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement in September, in which he shared that Canada would reduce its international student permits by 35% this year and an additional 10% next year.
Canadian immigration authorities, however, stated that all students who have applied under the SDS and a similar program for Nigerian students, called the Nigerian Student Express (NSE), would still have their applications processed if submitted before the Friday deadline. Those who have applied after the deadline will now have to go through the standard application process.
Not only are students facing delays in processing times, but they are also likely to encounter an increase in competition, as there will be fewer student permit approvals in the coming years. Additionally, as Canada shifts its immigration priorities, it will be admitting around 3,95,000 permanent residents by 2025, nearly 20% less than the 4,85,000 projected for this year. Temporary resident numbers, which include students and foreign workers, are also expected to drop from 8,00,000 this year to around 4,46,000 by 2025.
The Canadian government has assured students that they can use Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) as proof of financial support when applying through the regular permit process. For now, prospective students and their families will have to adjust to the new system, which could mean longer waits and added uncertainty as they plan their studies in Canada.