The Indian government has publicly stated that they will find higher education in Canada cheaper and more accessible for Indian students post cancellation of Canada’s Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa program, which students from India found to be the most convenient to come to Canada for studies by seeking easier study permits. The government anticipates that more students – particularly those who could not meet the stringent financial criteria of the SDS plan will bring easy access for them because of this development.
Canada ensure equal access for International students
The SDS matter was raised in the Lok Sabha on Friday, with Junior External Affairs Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh explaining the key facts of the Canadian government’s move. On 8th November 2024, the Canadian government put an end to the SDS program.
According to Singh, the Canadian government conveyed that the reasons for the decision are its efforts to strengthen the program’s integrity, student vulnerability. He said, “On 8th November 2024, the Canadian Government ended the SDS program. The Canadian Government conveyed that its objective in doing away with the SDS program is in line with its efforts to strengthen the program’s integrity, address student vulnerability, and give all students equal and fair access to the application process, as well as a positive academic experience. Following the cancellation of the SDS Scheme, all international students would now have to apply for “regular study permits” for studying in Canada.”
Such has the cancellation of the SDS program been with Canada’s stand as one of major changes in regards to its approach on issuance of international student visas. A new 2018 programme that brought the SDS provided for streamlined fast-track issuance of a study permit following qualification; some of those requirements were full payment for an entire year’s tuition or $20,635 guaranteed investment certificate proof of money; high levels of language proficiency. Yet for many students, especially low-income and middle-income students, the process was expensive to conduct.
Canada easing financial burdens
The Canadian authorities ended the program and now welcome international students into a fair system, where they do not require such an advance payment of all the tuition fees for that calendar year. Instead, they collect the tuition for six months and require them to show proof that they have saved enough money to live there during the study term. It is expected that this change will ease the burden on students, especially those who could not meet the more expensive standards set earlier by SDS.
The positive aspect of this, as expressed by Minister Singh, was, “Under the regular route, students are no longer required to pay full one-year tuition fee upfront but only for six months and show proof that they have sufficient money to sustain their stay in New Zealand. It, therefore, opens the gates for students to gain admissions through a more cost-effective avenue, especially those who earlier couldn’t afford the stiffer SDS requirements.”
According to government sources, currently over 427,000 Indian students are enrolled in Canadian educational institutions. This large and growing community has become an important focus for the Indian government, which works closely with Canadian officials to address all the concerns related to the welfare of the students.
“All issues that Indian students in Canada face are constantly raised and addressed with the Canadian authorities. The Indian government is keenly concerned with the well-being of Indian students studying in Canada,” Singh said, reiterating the commitment of the government to the protection of the interests of its citizens abroad.
