Pakistani students to get Canadian visa in 20 days

Canadian govt announces to expand its SDS Programme

ISLAMABAD: The Canadian government has announced to expand its Students Direct Stream (SDS) Programme to the international students from Pakistan enabling them to get student visa within 20 days.

Last year, the Canadian government had initiated the programme for the students from India, China, Philippines and Vietnam. Now, Pakistan has been included in the list of countries, under the SDS programme by the Canadian Immigration Department, said a press release received Saturday.

High Commissioner of Pakistan to Canada Raza Bashir Tarar welcomed the decision of the Canadian government for inclusion of Pakistani international students into the programme as it would facilitate the students desiring to study in Canada.

He appreciated the goodwill gesture by the Canadian government and expressed gratitude to the special efforts of Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen and the members of the Canadian Parliament for fulfilling their commitment.

The high commissioner in his meetings with the Canadian officials had urged them to include Pakistani students in the SDS programme as academically Pakistani students were second to none. APP