Canada stops fast-track visa, decision will also impact Indian students

Canada stops fast-track visa, decision will also impact Indian students 

TIMES OF INDIA AHEMADABAD 10.11.2024

Ottawa : In a major policy decision that is likely to impact scores of international students, including from India, Canada on Friday ended with immediate effect a popular fast track study visa programme. Under the Student Direct Stream (SDS), which was launched in 2018, the processing time for eligible post-secondary students from selected countries, including India, was significantly shorter and approval rates higher. “Canada is committed to giving all international students equal and fair access to the application process for study permits,” the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said in a statement on Friday. Canada’s goal is to “strengthen programm e integrity, address student vulnerability, and give all students equal and fair access to the application process, as well as a positive academic experience,” it added. 

However, the IRCC said prospective students can still apply through the regular study permit stream. The move comes amid a diplomatic row between India and Canada. According to the Indian high commission here, India is the largest source country of foreign students with some 4,27,000 Indians studying in Canada. According to a news portal, immigrationnewscanada.ca, the SDS was launched with the goal of simplifying and expediting study permit processing for students from selected countries. The streamlined process allowed eligible applicants from countries such as India, China to enter Canada faster, typically within a few weeks, rather than waiting for the standard processing time, which could take several months, it added. 

Under SDS, Indian students’ applications were processed within 20 business days and now it may take up to eight weeks, said the moving2canada.com portal. PTI