End of Fast-Track Visa Program a Major Setback for Indian Students Heading to Canada

New Delhi: Canada has officially discontinued its fast-track Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa program for international students, a move that is expected to have significant repercussions for students, particularly from India, who were hoping to pursue higher education in the country. The decision comes amid a growing housing crisis and concerns over strained resources, leading the Canadian government to reevaluate its immigration policies for international students.

In a move that has sent ripples of concern through India's student community, a decision that will significantly affect the ease and speed with which Indian students can obtain study permits. The SDS program was designed to expedite visa processing for students applying to study in Canada by offering a streamlined application process, and its end marks a major shift in Canada's approach to international student admissions.

While the program offered convenience and faster processing times, the Canadian government cited several reasons for its termination;First introduced in 2018 by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the SDS program aimed to expedite the processing of study permit applications for international students from 14 countries, including Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

The Canadian government has stated that the move is part of an effort to "strengthen program integrity, address student vulnerability, and give all students equal and fair access to the application process." This decision comes amid growing concerns about the increasing number of applications and pressures on Canada’s housing, resources, and immigration systems.