Chandigarh: Students express concern as Canada ends fast-track SDS visa

Indian students have expressed concerns following Canadas recent decision to end its fasttrack Student Direct Stream SDS visa programmeThe program which allowed eligible students to obtain study permits more quickly has been a popular choice for those seeking to study in CanadaThis abrupt move has left many aspiring students worried about their academic futureA Chandigarh resident who plans to study in Canada voiced her concerns saying I was trying to go to Canada but the situation is that Canada has stopped the visa That was not right because many Indian population want to go abroad for studies and the politics that is being used in this is also wrongIts not right to stop visas midway There are so many opportunities and dream jobs we will miss out on she addedShe also blamed political interference for the decision adding Politics should not interfereVisa counselor Rahul Arora also expressed concerns saying that this will negatively impact students ambitions and dreamsThis decision will definitely have a negative impact I think that the childrens ambitions and dreams of going forward and studying the dreams that they have been trying for years will be hit by that And I think that this is an adverse decision for both the countries he saidThe SDS a popular program launched in 2018 offered faster processing for students from countries including India China Pakistan Brazil and others It was abruptly ended on November 8The Nigeria Student Express NSE for Nigerian students has also been discontinued though applications submitted before the deadline will still be processed under the SDS and NSEThe Student Direct Stream SDS was launched in 2018 to provide faster processing for eligible postsecondary students The SDS was eventually opened to legal residents of Antigua and Barbuda Brazil China Colombia Costa Rica India Morocco Pakistan Peru Philippines Senegal St Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago and Vietnam said a statement by the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada IRCCThe government has said that it is committed to giving all international students equal and fair access to the application process for study permitsCanadas 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 the statement by IRCC addedFollowing this development future applicants will be required to go through Canadas regular study permit processes which will require a Provincial Attestation Letter PAL or a Territorial Attestation Letter TAL to study at designated learning institutions DLIs in the countryThis move comes amid rising diplomatic tensions between Canada and India following allegations of Indias involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun which India has deniedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever