Canada ends fast-track visa programme for int'l students, Indians to be affected

Canada on Friday discontinued its fast-track popular Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa programme for international students, amid a push by the country to cope with its housing and resource crisis.

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The programme was implemented in 2018 by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to expedite study permit applications for international students from 14 countries, including Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines and Vietnam.

The Canadian government said on its website that the initiative is being discontinued to "strengthen program integrity, address student vulnerability, and give all students equal and fair access to the application process".

Applications received till 2 pm ET on November 8 under the scheme will be processed, whereas all applications after this will be processed under the regular study permit stream.

The programme had higher approval rates and faster processing times. With the discontinuation of this program, students from India and 13 other countries will have to undergo more lengthy visa processes.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in September had announced on X: "We're granting 35 per cent fewer international student permits this year. And next year, that number's going down by another 10 per cent."