© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Canada announced the closure of its Student Direct Stream (SDS) program for students from 14 countries, including India, China and Pakistan, effective November 9 onwards.
Some concerns have been raised about the prospects of Indian students who hoped to benefit from the program. However, immigration experts said the regular visa route allows ample opportunity to secure approvals, with Canada largely remaining a favourable destination for Indians studying abroad.
The SDS program allowed for faster processing of student visa applications. It was launched in 2018 for admission into post-secondary Designated Learning Institutions (DLI), which are colleges approved by the Canadian territorial or provincial government for hosting international students.
It had strict requirements, such as paying one year’s tuition fee in advance and providing a mandatory Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) worth $20,635 as proof of funds. It was a popular program for many Indian students, who must now fall back on the regular visa route.
Students can apply under the regular, non-SDS application category, which is much more flexible currently. For example, students are not required to pay the full one-year tuition fee upfront but only for six months and show they have sufficient funds to cover their living expenses. This makes the process more affordable for students unable to meet the more costly SDS requirements. While the GIC is still an option, it is not mandatory under the normal route.
“Previously, many students with good candidate profiles could not afford to pay the full one-year fee, leading them to choose other destinations like Germany or Europe. But now, studying in Canada has become much more accessible,” said Aman Parmar, a visa consultant at a Punjab-based firm.
He added that based on their academic profiles, students should apply to and aim to secure a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a reputable college in Canada. They should also include an attestation letter from the province where the institute is located when paying the tuition fee to bolster their chances of approval.
The English language proficiency tests (International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Pearson Test of English (PTE), requiring a minimum of six bands and 60 marks respectively, were part of the SDS process. However, under the non-SDS application route, students have other alternatives even if they do not have these specific scores. Students with an overall score of 6 bands across modules and 5.5 bands can also apply.
Experts said a good score can always strengthen an aspirant’s application. Any other proof of English proficiency acceptable in Canada and a strong academic record can further improve a student’s profile.
First, while students no longer need to pay a full year’s tuition fee upfront, they will still need to demonstrate that they can financially support their stay in Canada. However, the required funds are much lower now – around Rs 5 to 6 lakh is sufficient in many colleges. On the other hand, the SDS program demanded around four times the amount.
Additionally, students must ensure a top-notch visa application. This means having a strong academic record and a plan for their higher education. Visa officers prioritise students serious about their educational goals and have a realistic plan for achieving professional success in Canada.
The measure to scrap the SDS is seen as part of larger changes in the country’s liberal immigration policy. Earlier this year, Canada introduced a cap on the number of study visas it will issue in the next few years, but the number is quite generous — it aims to grant study visas to 305,000 international students annually until 2027. If a student applies to a reputable educational institution with a study permit and a strong LOA they are more likely to be accepted, even if the number of applicants is high.
Students often faced refusals under the SDS category if their academic profiles were not strong enough and the same principle applies under the non-SDS route as well.
