Canada has long been a popular destination for Indian students seeking to build a better life for themselves and their families. According to rankings by the Times Higher Education and QS rankings, Canadian universities consistently stand tall among the world’s top academic institutions. However, the recent diplomatic spat between India and Canada has become a cause of worry for Indian students aspiring to study in Canada.

Over the past few years, the Canadian government has made several significant changes to its visa policies and immigration programmes. Most new study permits are now being processed within the 60-day service standard.

In 2018, Canada introduced the Student Direct Stream (SDS) programme, streamlining the study permit application process for students from select countries, including India, China, the Philippines, and Vietnam. SDS applicants were required to meet specific eligibility criteria, including language proficiency and financial requirements.

The process of obtaining a study permit involves multiple steps, and it’s essential to recognise that processing times can vary significantly from one country to another. Therefore, meticulous planning is advisable to ensure that your permit is processed before your intended study period commences. The majority of Canadian post-secondary educational programmes typically commence their studies in September, January, or May. However, it’s worth noting that some programmes offer intakes outside of these traditional dates.

Since foreign nationals cannot initiate a study permit application without an acceptance letter from their chosen institution, it is imperative to proactively check the start dates and application procedures for the schools and programmes of interest well in advance. This proactive approach will allow sufficient time for obtaining the acceptance letter and subsequently completing the study permit application process.