Canada Stops Fast-Track Visa Scheme for Foreign Students: Impact on Students

In a significant move, Canada has decided to discontinue its popular Student Direct Stream (SDS) program, which offered a fast-track visa processing system for students from 14 countries, including India. This decision, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), is aimed at providing equal opportunities to all students in the application process, but it has raised concerns among foreign students looking to study in Canada.

What was the Student Direct Stream (SDS) Program?

Launched in 2018, the SDS program was designed to simplify the visa application process for students from 14 countries, including India, China, Pakistan, Brazil, and others. Students who met certain language and financial requirements, along with having an acceptance letter from a Canadian educational institution, were eligible for expedited visa processing. Under this scheme, the acceptance rate was 95%, and processing times were significantly reduced to just four weeks, half the time required for regular study permits. Additionally, biometric submissions and meeting the conditions meant that applications could be processed within 20 days.

Why Did Canada Stop the SDS Program?

The key reason for discontinuing the SDS program is to limit the number of foreign students. Canada has been facing challenges with accommodation and resources for international students. As part of a policy change, Canada has set a cap of 437,000 study permits for 2025, covering all types of studies, including postgraduate degrees. Other stricter rules, such as tougher language and academic criteria for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP), and fewer work permits for spouses of international students, are also being implemented.

Impact on Foreign Students

With the SDS program closed, foreign students will now face a lengthier and more complex visa process. Visa processing will likely take longer, and approval may not be as straightforward. Additionally, the cap on student permits will create greater competition among applicants, making it more challenging to secure a study permit.

Specific Impact on Indian Students

Indian students, who made up a significant portion of the SDS applicants, will be particularly affected. In 2022, around 80% of Indian students used the SDS program, benefiting from its faster processing times and higher acceptance rates. The SDS scheme proved particularly helpful during the pandemic, where its acceptance rate was three times higher than the general application route. In 2023, the acceptance rate for SDS applicants was 73%, compared to just 10% for non-SDS applicants. With the cancellation of the SDS program, obtaining a study permit will now be much harder for Indian students, who may now face longer waits and a more stringent application process.

Abolition of Multiple-Entry Visas

Another important change is the abolition of multiple-entry visas. Immigration officers will now have the discretion to decide whether a visa should be issued for single or multiple entries and what the visa’s validity period should be. Factors such as the applicant’s profession, financial stability, health, and country of citizenship will be taken into consideration.

The closure of SDS and changes to the multiple-entry visa system are expected to increase the challenges for international students, especially those from India, who had relied on the fast-track processing of the SDS program to streamline their visa applications.