Canada Halts Fast-Track Study Visa Program: Impact on Indian Students

Canada recently announced the immediate end of the Student Direct Stream (SDS), a fast-track visa program that offered expedited study permit processing for international students. Effective Friday, this policy change is expected to impact thousands of students from several countries, particularly India, which is currently the largest source of international students in Canada. 

The SDS program, launched in 2018, aimed to streamline the visa process for students from specific countries, including India, China, and the Philippines, by offering faster permit processing times—often within 20 business days. This system was highly advantageous for students, especially from India, as it allowed them to begin their studies in Canada sooner with fewer delays and uncertainties. Indian students are among the most impacted by this decision, with approximately 427,000 Indian students currently enrolled in Canadian institutions. Now, prospective students from these countries will need to go through the standard application process, which can take up to eight weeks or more, depending on processing volumes.

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This move follows Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent announcement that Canada intends to reduce international student permits significantly. Specifically, he indicated a 35% reduction in student permits this year, with a further 10% reduction planned for next year. The government’s immigration policy adjustments also aim to reduce the influx of temporary residents, including international students and foreign workers, from around 800,000 this year to approximately 446,000 by 2025. Additionally, Canada’s target for permanent residents has been adjusted, aiming to admit 395,000 newcomers by 2025, a decrease from the 485,000 originally projected for this year.

Despite the policy shift, Canadian immigration authorities clarified that applications submitted under the SDS before the deadline will still be processed under the fast-track system. However, students applying after Friday will be required to use the standard application route. The Nigerian Student Express (NSE), a similar program for students from Nigeria, will also be affected by this change.

The removal of the SDS program could lead to longer processing times and increased competition for study permits. Prospective students and their families may now face more uncertainty and extended wait times as they adjust to the new application system. To ease this transition, the Canadian government has reassured applicants that they can still use Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) as proof of financial support when applying through the standard permit process.

This policy shift may signal a broader change in Canada’s immigration strategy, as the country looks to focus more on permanent residents rather than temporary ones. For international students and their families, this development means that studying in Canada might require more time, planning, and patience.

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