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

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Canadian politicians are moving at an alarming speed to reverse its immigration policies, this time targeting students. The Government of Canada (GoC) announced it would be discontinuing the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE) application program on Friday. The program was designed to expedite study permit approvals in targeted markets, and became known for having an approval rate 3x traditional streams. Leaving students with just a few hours notice, it’s going to have a big impact on Canada’s primary source of foreign students—India, where 4 in 5 applications were made through the scheme. 

Canada’s Express Study Permits To Cash In On More Foreign Students

The SDS and NSE were programs to expedite student applications in select countries. Applicants would pay a $150 application fee and students would commit to depositing $20k in a guaranteed investment certificate (GIC), and meet basic requirements like proof of tuition paid. In exchange, Canada returned a decision within 20 calendar days. 

The program is a relatively new experiment in Canada. It was launched in 2018 and expanded in 2019 as a part of a multi-million dollar taxpayer-funded campaign to expand study permit issuance, and leverage them as a diplomatic tool. The SDS ran in 14 counties—Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam. The NSE was similar but exclusive to prospective students from Nigeria. 

Canada Abruptly Canceled Its Express Study Permit Programs

Last Friday the GoC announced the program would come to an abrupt end. It was announced on November 8th, 2024 and gave any prospective students considering the stream just hours to wrap up, or apply using a regular stream.  

“Canada’s goal is to strengthen program integrity, address student vulnerability, and give all students equal and fair access to the application process, as well as a positive academic experience,” read a notice on the GoC site.  

“To meet this commitment, the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE) initiatives have ended as of 2:00 p.m. ET today,” they added. 

Ending a program the same day the end is announced is a little suspect. It’s not typical for one of the world’s largest economies to suddenly determine it won’t hit a target. However, that’s the official explanation until another one inevitably pops up. 

Canada’s Express Study Permit Program Used Primarily By Indians

SDS applications gained steam largely due to the higher approval rate. In 2022, back when requirements were lower, about 66% of SDS applications where approved vs 19% for non-SDS study permit applications. That’s perceived to be a 3x advantage, with some countries averaging even higher SDS approval rates such as Brazil (96% approved), Peru (96%), Colombia (84%), and Vietnam (77%). 

Adoption was much higher in some regions, with Canada’s biggest source of foreign students being the primary user. Indian students made a whopping 4 in 5 applications (80%) through the SDS. A sharp drop off to the country with the second highest share—Pakistan (44%), followed by Vietnam (22%). Other eligible countries averaged 7%, which sounds light but keep in mind the program was only created in 2018 and only expedites application processing.  

Historically, it’s unusual for such a high volume of students to need express visa approval. Most schools close their general admission months before the session starts, and it’s rare for a high volume of students to wake up and decide they want to study in a foreign country. The speed at which a person can be approved to study is an odd priority for attracting students. 

Even more peculiar is the army of schools that popped up to almost exclusively service foreign students in a rush to get a very expensive education from a school that didn’t exist weeks prior. 

It’s unclear if this will have a major impact on population growth beyond the existing tapering of permits. It might be a good time for anyone looking to buy a campus though.

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