Canada scraps fast-track student visa policy

Canada has made yet another policy shift by putting an end to its fast-track visa programme with immediate effect, impacting thousands of international students. The move is seen as part of the country’s attempt to address ongoing housing shortages and resource strain.

In a statement, the Canadian government, however, said the policy had been discontinued to “strengthen programme integrity, address student vulnerability, and give all students equal and fair access to the application process”.

Launched in 2018, the student direct stream (SDS) was designed to streamline the study permit process for applicants from 14 countries, including India, China, Pakistan and the Philippines, who met specific criteria.

The programme, popular among international students, provided faster permit approvals, often within weeks, compared to the standard process.

The SDS visa application usually takes three to four weeks to process if all conditions are met, as opposed to eight to 12 weeks or even longer if the normal process is followed. The success rate of the normal process is poor. In 2023, 73 per cent applications under the Indian SDS were approved as against 10 per cent in case of non-SDS applicants.

“Processing of applications under the SBS category took seven to 20 days and visa was granted if certain conditions were met. Student had to pay one-year fee in advance in addition to higher guaranteed income certificate, which raised their migration budget to Rs 20-25 lakh,” said Bikram Chabal, president of Association of Visa and IELTs Centres.

“Under the regular system, the students have the option of paying six months’ fee without the need to submit a medical certificate. The IELTS band, too, is lower under the system. Many students fail to secure seven bands or above required for the SDS visa application. Processing of visa applications under the regular system will, however, take longer. Also, there is no clarity on the success of approval,” shared Chabal.

The direct implication on Indian students of the recent policy shifts by Canada on student immigration would be visible in a month or two, he added.

The Canadian government has set a cap of 4.37 lakh new study permits for 2025, covering all levels of education, including postgraduate programmes. The move comes as another jolt for the Indian students planning to move to Canada for higher education.

Earlier this year, Canada had put a two-year cap on study permits for international students, reducing the number by 35 per cent.

Jolt for thousands of International pupils

• Unveiled in 2018, student direct stream offered study permit to applicants from 14 countries, including India and Pak
• It provided faster permit approvals, often within weeks, compared to standard process that took eight to 12 weeks
• In 2023, 73% applications of Indians were approved under the SDS as against 10% in case of non-SDS applicants