Canada scraps popular student visa program, here’s how it will affect Indians

Canada on Friday (Nov. 8) scrapped a popular student visa program that sped up the visa issuance process for students from countries including India, China and Pakistan. The Student Direct Stream (SDS) initiative ended on November 8 at 2:00 PM ET, meaning applications received after this time will now be processed using regular study permit procedures.

The Student Direct Stream was launched in 2018 to give post-secondary students faster access to study permits in Canada. The scheme provided 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 from the Canadian government notes that the change in visa policy “will not adversely affect the eligibility of those seeking a study permit from a country” where the SDS was offered.

That is why the halt in the visa scheme has raised concerns among Indian students, who now fear that it will take longer for their applications to be approved.

The scheme has been halted in the wake of Canada’s intense housing crisis, stretched healthcare system and skyrocketing inflation situation. Canada will hold a general election in 2025, and the government is now trying to address concerns that the North American country may be accepting too many immigrants.

It should be noted that Canada has already announced plans to issue fewer study permits in 2025 and 2026. According to reports, the number of international study permits will decrease by 2025. This change represents a 10 percent reduction from the 2024 target of 485,000 new permits, with plans to maintain this reduced limit moving forward.

(With input from agencies)