Canada on Friday (Nov 8) scrapped a popular student visa scheme that expedited visa issuing process for students coming from nations like India, China and Pakistan. The Student Direct Stream (SDS) initiative ended on Nov 8 at 2 pm ET, meaning applications received after this time will be now processed using regular study permit procedures.
What was Student Direct Stream initiative?
The Student Direct Stream was launched in 2018 to allow post-secondary students to have faster access to study permits in Canada. The scheme offered benefits to 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.
However, a notice issued by the Canadian government mentions that the change in visa policy “will not adversely affect eligibility for those who wish to apply for a study permit from a country” where the SDS was offered.
That’s why the discontinuation of the visa scheme has raised concerns among Indian students, who now fear that their applications may now take longer to get approved.
The scheme has been disabled in the wake of intense housing crisis, stretched healthcare system and skyrocketed inflation situation in Canada. General elections are scheduled to take place in Canada in 2025, and the government is now scrambling to address the concerns that the North American country may be accepting too many immigrants.
It must be noted that Canada has already announced its plans to issue fewer study permits in 2025 and 2026. According to reports, there will be a decrease in the number of international student study permits for 2025. This change includes a 10 per cent reduction from the 2024 target of 485,000 new permits, with plans to maintain this reduced cap going forward.
(With inputs from agencies)