Canada closed SDS visa program, but the work of Indians became easier, why is this good news for students?

Canada SDS Program: The Canadian government closed the ‘Student Direct Stream’ (SDS) visa program last month. Through this program, students got study permit to study in minimum time. However, the Indian government says that the end of the SDS program is good news for Indians thinking of studying in Canada. The government says that due to the end of this program, it will now become more affordable for Indians to study in Canada than before.
According to statistics, 60% of the 4,00,000 Indian students looking to study in Canada in 2023 had applied through the SDS program. The study permit approval rate for Indian students under the SDS program was 70%. In comparison, the approval rate for obtaining study permit through the regular route was 10%. The issue of ending the SDS program was raised in the Lok Sabha. Kerala MP Hibi George Eden had asked the government what challenges the students would face due to the end of the programme.

What was the SDS program that was discontinued?

Every year millions of students go to study in Canada. It is difficult to obtain a study permit here, which is why the SDS program was very helpful for the students. This program was launched in 2018, under which the Canadian government used to expedite the study permit application process of students from many countries including India. However, due to the fast-track process, certain conditions have to be followed. In this, deposit one year’s tuition fees in advance.

Students also had to provide proof of having sufficient funds to study in Canada. This was given through ‘Guaranteed Investment Certificate’ (GIC), under which the student was required to have 20,635 Canadian dollars. At the same time, the student also had to provide proof of good command of the English language. Although the SDS program increased the chances of getting a study permit, studying through it was much more expensive.

Why is the end of the SDS program good news?

Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh told in the Lok Sabha how the ending of SDS program is going to benefit the students a lot. The minister said, “Under the regular route, students do not need to pay one year’s tuition fees in advance, but they have to pay only six months’ fees. They only have to show that they are eligible to study in Canada.” This makes the admissions process very affordable for students, especially those who previously could not meet the expensive SDS requirements.”

In simple language, the minister says that earlier under the SDS program, students not only had to show more money in the account, but they also had to pay advance fees along with one year’s tuition fees. Due to this, only those students who had high budget got the opportunity to study in Canada. But now if they apply through regular route, they will not need much funds.