Canada Ends Fast-Track Student Direct Stream Visa: What This Means for Indian Students
Canada Ends Fast-Track Student Direct Stream Visa: Canada has officially ended the Student Direct Stream (SDS), a fast-track study visa program, significantly impacting thousands of international students, especially from India. Introduced in 2018, the SDS streamlined visa processing for eligible students from select countries, including India, China, and the Philippines, allowing them to receive study permits in just a few weeks. The termination, effective as of Friday, shifts all applications to Canada’s standard study permit process, which has considerably longer wait times, now extending up to eight weeks.
The SDS program was popular among students from 14 countries, allowing for faster processing and higher approval rates. As the largest source of international students in Canada, India will particularly feel the impact, with approximately 427,000 Indian students currently enrolled in Canadian institutions, according to the Indian High Commission. This change will add to existing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hinted at immigration policy shifts in September, announcing a 35% reduction in international student permits this year, with another 10% cut planned for 2025. Trudeau cited misuse of the system by “bad actors” as a key reason for the policy change, stressing that Canada’s immigration system aims to protect student interests and maintain program integrity.
Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has reiterated that students from former SDS-eligible countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Morocco, and Vietnam, can still apply through the standard study permit process, with Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) still accepted as financial support. Applications submitted under the SDS before the cut-off on Friday will be processed under the previous fast-track conditions.
This termination follows Canada’s broader immigration policy adjustments. Immigration Minister Marc Miller recently announced a cap of approximately 395,000 permanent residents by 2025, down from 485,000 in 2024. Temporary immigrant numbers, including international students, will also reduce significantly, falling from 800,000 to just 17,400 new non-permanent residents by 2027.
Canada’s decision has generated widespread concern among prospective students in India and education consultants who expect increased uncertainty and longer waiting times. With the SDS no longer available, the journey to Canadian education for Indian students just became more complex.
