भारत के साथ कूटनीतिक तनाव के मद्देनजर कनाडा ने विदेशी छात्रों के लिए फास्ट ट्रैक वीजा निलंबित कर दिया है।

Canada suspends fast-track visas for foreign students in the wake of diplomatic tensions with India.

In a new move targeting international students hoping to study in Canada, the federal government has announced the immediate termination of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program. The decision, revealed in a notice from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on Friday, marks the end of the initiative, which was launched in 2018 to expedite study permit processing for eligible post-secondary students. Initially aimed at residents of 14 countries, including India, the program was later expanded to include legal residents of those nations. According to the IRCC, the goal of this change is to "strengthen program integrity," "address student vulnerability," and ensure "equal and fair access" to the application process, while also providing a "positive academic experience." As part of this commitment, the SDS program was officially discontinued on November 8.

The SDS had been known for offering faster processing times for study permits and enjoyed a high approval rate among applicants. Moving forward, study permits submitted after the announcement will be processed under the regular application stream.

Naresh Chavda, president of Globayan Immigration Corporation, explained that the SDS was introduced in 2018 primarily for students from India and China before being expanded to other countries. It provided a simplified application process, requiring proof of language proficiency, financial support, and a letter of acceptance from a Canadian institution. Processing times under the SDS were typically capped at four weeks—half the time of regular applications—with an approval rate approaching 95%. Chavda commented that the abrupt closure of the program seemed aimed at reducing the intake of international students, adding that it could ultimately diminish Canada’s appeal as a destination for study. “Interest from students may decline, and people could be diverted to other countries,” he warned.

News Reference