Canada Ends Student Direct Scheme With Immediate Effect - Will Indian Aspirants Be Affected?

Canada has ended its fast-track student visa program also known as the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program, effective from November 8, 2024.

The program had previously proven useful to thousands of students.

What Was Student Direct Stream?

The Student Direct Stream is a program that was launched in 2018 by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The objective of this program was to ease visa applications for students from 14 countries, including India, Pakistan and the Vietnam.

Through this program applicants could avail study permits in a matter of weeks, while the standard process took approximately 2 months.

Why Has This Change Happened?

The Canadian government says that "Canada's goal is to strengthen program integrity, address student vulnerability, and give all students equal and fair access to the application process, as well as a positive academic experience." Therefore the SDS initiative has ended.

Background

Earlier in October, Canada decided to change its post graduation work permit rules and the new set of rules were to be implemented from November.

Canada has decided to do this as a means of restoring normalcy in its population numbers, as it has seen record level immigration last year amounting to approximately 41 million people.

This is a strategic decision where Canada is trying to tame its immigrant student influx. In September, the Canadian government had also announced a decrease in the number of temporary residents-- from 6.5% of Canada's total population down to 5% by 2026. The federal government is therefore involved in taking this decision to manage the increase of temporary residents.

Will Indian Students Be Affected?

According to reports, Indian students have been beneficiaries of Canada's popular SDS program and are likely to be affected by the Canadian government's decision to revoke the program.