Canada Abruptly Cancels Fast-Track Student Visas Used By 4 In 5 Indian Applicants

The Canadian government has abruptly ended the Student Direct Stream (SDS), a fast-track visa program that processed study permits for international students from specific countries, including India. The SDS program, introduced in 2018, was especially popular among Indian applicants, with 80% of applications in 2022 coming from India. This sudden move, effective immediately, also ends the Nigeria Student Express program.

According to official statements, the decision aims to improve program fairness, ensure academic quality, and protect students from exploitative practices. These goals have been overshadowed by criticism of the hasty implementation, which left many applicants and institutions scrambling. Critics argue that the abrupt termination indicates deeper concerns about misuse and broader immigration strategy shifts.

The SDS program was attractive due to its high approval rates—66% compared to 19% for non-SDS applicants in 2022. This advantage spurred its adoption in countries like India, Pakistan, and Vietnam. However, there were concerns about the rapid rise of institutions seemingly created to serve international students, raising questions about their academic standards and motivations.

The implications of this decision could be significant. Canada has relied on international students as a critical part of its immigration and population growth strategies. Indian students alone have been instrumental in bolstering Canadian post-secondary institutions and their surrounding economies. The sudden policy change may lead to a decrease in applications from India, previously the largest source of foreign students.

Broader concerns about Canada’s immigration policies have been growing, with critics pointing out potential exploitation in international student recruitment. The termination of SDS might signal a stricter approach to managing both the quality of education and the demographics of immigration.

While the government defends the decision as necessary for long-term improvements, its abrupt nature has drawn backlash from stakeholders. The sudden end leaves potential students and their families in uncertainty, while educational institutions face possible financial and reputational impacts as they adjust to the new landscape.