Canada ends fast-track visa programme for international students, Indians to be affected

The government initiative, which helped thousands of international students quickly secure visas for higher studies in Canada, is expected to have a severe impact on Indian students due to concerns over processing delays, who see Canada as a suitable hub for higher studies.

The Student Direct Stream (SDS) was launched in 2018 by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The scheme was introduced to simplify the visa application process for students from 14 countries, which included India.

Notably, the initiative benefitted thousands of Indian students who plan to move to Canada for studies every year given that they meet certain requirements.