Canada scraps popular student Visa program: Impact on Indian students

Canada has announced the termination of its Student Direct Stream (SDS) program, effective November 8, 2024, at 2:00 pm ET. This program, initiated in 2018, was designed to expedite study permit processing for post-secondary students from countries including India, China, and Pakistan.

What Was the Student Direct Stream?

The SDS was a streamlined visa process benefiting students from Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam. It allowed quicker access to study permits for these international students.

Policy Change and Its Impact

Despite assurances from the Canadian government that the policy shift will not negatively impact study permit eligibility, the discontinuation has raised concerns among Indian students. Many fear that without the SDS, their applications will face longer processing times.

Reasons Behind the Change

The decision comes amidst Canada's pressing issues such as a severe housing crisis, an overburdened healthcare system, and high inflation. With general elections approaching in 2025, the government is under pressure to address the public's concerns about high immigration levels.

Future Outlook

Canada has also announced plans to reduce the number of study permits issued in 2025 and 2026. There will be a 10% reduction from the 2024 target of 485,000 new permits, aiming to maintain this lower cap in the future.

Conclusion

The termination of the SDS program is a significant change for prospective international students, particularly from India. While the long-term effects remain to be seen, this policy shift signals a more stringent approach to managing immigration and student permits in Canada.