Canada ends popular visa scheme for foreign students

In a fresh policy shift, Canada did away with the popular Student Direct Stream (SDS) on Friday (November 8, 2024), ending a fast-track study permit process that has helped thousands of international students quickly secure visas.

The Student Direct Stream (SDS) was launched in 2018 to provide faster processing for eligible post-secondary students.

The SDS was eventually opened to legal residents of Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam.

Prospective university students from Nigeria had a similar process with the Nigeria Student Express (NSE).

The Canadian government, however, said, “Eligible SDS and NSE applications received before 2:00 p.m. ET on November 8, 2024, will be processed under these streams.

Study permit applications submitted on or after this time will be processed under the regular study permit stream."

“This change will not adversely affect eligibility for those who wish to apply for a study permit from a country where the SDS or NSE initiatives have been offered. All students, regardless of whether they were eligible for the SDS or NSE, are required to meet Canada’s study permit application requirements," it added.

With the programme scrapped, students from India and 13 other countries will have to undergo a rather lengthy procedure to secure visas.

This significant policy change, the first of its kind in years, is being implemented as a measure to reduce the influx of immigrants into the country.

The decision comes amid a backdrop of economic challenges, including a strained healthcare system, escalating living costs, and a housing crisis, among other issues.

The move came at a time when India and Canada have been dealing with an unprecedented diplomatic crisis after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian government agents were involved in the killing of Nijjar in Canada. India has rejected Canada’s allegations, terming it “absurd" and “politically motivated."