The respective governments of India and Canada have assured all prospective students that they will not be affected by the recent political circumstances that have caused great debate among the two superpowers. Even though thousands of students are riddled with anxiety, the Canadian government took the time to assure all potential candidates to apply for their dream universities without a shadow of a doubt. To shed more light on the topic, let’s discuss all the visa changes that have occurred in Canada’s visa policy over the last 5 years.
Higher Education in Canada
According to Times Higher Education and QS ranking, Canada is one of the most prominent destinations for students to choose while planning their studies abroad. In the hope that they’ll seek a better life for themselves and their families, students from all around the world flock to Canada. The changes to their visa policies and immigration programs done by the Canadian government over the past few years have made it easier for students to study at some of the best institutions that the world has to offer. As of now, the study permits are granted and are processed within a span of 60 days.
Launch of the Student Direct Stream Program (SDS Program) in 2018
Canada launched the Student Direct Stream Program in 2018, thus simplifying the study permit application process for students from quite a few countries. These countries included India, China, the Philippines and Vietnam. However, students needed to qualify for specific eligibility criteria such as language proficiency and financial requirements.
It is crucial to understand that the processing time taken to acquire a study permit varies as it involves multiple steps. Hence, meticulous planning must be done to ensure that your permit is approved before the commencement of the studies. Generally, the study programmes start in September, January or May. It is important to check the start dates and application procedures of your interests early on, as foreign nationals cannot begin a study permit application without a letter of acceptance from the institution of their choice.
The Effect of Covid-19
COVID-19 has made a drastic impact on the world, so much so that students all over the world were made to switch to online education. It only made sense for Canada to adapt to the same. Ensuring that the international students who cannot come to Canada do not face any problems with their studies, Canada provided flexibility regarding study permit application deadlines.
The Canadian government implemented short-term steps to assist international students in 2021. Allowing the students to count the time spent studying online would later help them with their post-study work permit eligibility. This was a significant improvement that made the students get employment easily after their graduation in Canada.
In 2020. Canada introduced additional support measures to international students who were beginning their online studies in autumn. Those measures were designed to answer the queries put up by international students studying online who were unsure about getting a post-study work permit after their graduation. These steps also included a two-way approval procedure, for overseas students who could not give all the essential documents for their application but preferred to pursue distance learning programmes. Once the students get initial clearance under the temp process, students can use their online study abroad time towards their post-study work permit assuring that they will abide by all the Canadian rules and regulations.
Recent Changes in Canada Student Policy
Before coming to Canada, students still had to provide the remaining documents to finish the last few pieces of paperwork and get a fully granted study permit mainly because the services had just been reopened. By 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is undergoing to come up with a new measure of a trusted institution framework to its student visa programme. The framework is part of a broader plan to restructure the international students program operated by the IRCC. While there are few specifics, this approach intends to evaluate higher education institutions based on norms such as sustainable intake, identifying genuine students, compliance monitoring, safety, and overall quality of the experience for international students.
Currently, international students seeking admission to Canadian institutions must be classified under a designated learning institution (DLI) that has been authorized by their province. What this means is, that in order to apply for a study visa in Canada, international students must have an acceptance letter from the university or college that they applied to. While some DLIs have a positive reputation while others are often termed gimmicky, this framework will create a two-tiered structure among DLIs.
Conclusion
Prospective students are advised to consult Canadian immigration officials or frequently visit the official website of the Government of Canada to stay up to date on the most recent immigration laws and policies. While there is a diplomatic row between two of the most powerful countries in the world, keep in mind that Canada is a student-friendly country. Canada’s immigration laws place a strong focus on diversity and inclusivity, thus being adaptable to changing global dynamics. Being an immigrant-friendly country that offers endless opportunities, Canada remains a viable option for anyone looking to further their education and secure a better future. Students must keep an eye out for further developments and remain in constant touch with university representatives as well as education counsellors to avoid any lapses in the future.
Gaurav Kandari is a seasoned study abroad consultant with over 5 years of experience, specializing in guiding students to the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. An avid traveler, he draws on his global adventures to enrich his consulting, providing invaluable insights to aspiring scholars.
