Canada has a history of being a promising destination for foreign students. Immigration Department data shows that a record 10, 40,000 foreign students came to Canada last year. Study permits for foreign students have tripled since 2015, but now the situation is changing. The numbers of study permits are decreasing. While Canada allowed 5, 09,309 international study permits in 2023, it issued only 1, 75,920 study permits in the first seven months of 2024. Canada has decided to reduce study permits to 4, 37,000 by 2025. Indian government data reveals that there are 1.3 million Indian students studying abroad, of which 4, 27,000 are studying in Canada.
But gradually the Canada is closing the doors for Indian students, and the workers. As the country has imposed restrictions on the issuance of visas, the opportunities for our people are decreasing. Moreover, the recent differences between the two countries are making the situation more complicated. This subject is the most important news in major newspapers for some time.
Canada to cut student visas by 10% in 2025, another blow for Indians
Canada's study visa approvals for Indian students to drop by 50% in 2024: Report
‘Seismic shifts’ seen in Canadian enrolments as cap hits Indians
Canada to reduce intake of intl students. What are other options for Indians?
Canada reduces student permits, Indian students seek new overseas options
Canada may be losing its shine; study permits for Indians down over 40% since July 2023
Preferred Study Destination for Indian Students
Between, 2013-2022, the number of Indians moving to Canada has increased dramatically by 260%. In this context, it is not yet possible to say what effect the diplomatic tensions between Canada and India will have on the trade affairs of the two countries, but there are concerns that it will have a negative impact on the students' studies. Indian students who want to go to Canada for higher studies and settle down in jobs are now confused. There is now no indication that Canada is targeting Indian students or Indians of Indian origin who are on 'Permanent Resident Visas' and who wish to become Canadian citizens. But future developments may not favour to migrants from our land.
How Canada is Maintaining its Charm?
As per the latest data, about 2 million people of Indian descent live in Canada. Although the reason is not known, visa issuance to Indians has decreased mostly in Canada. Due to this, the air travel of Indian students to Canada has also reduced to a large extent. In 2023, 2.2 million people will travel between the two countries. Last year, 45% of Indians travelled on Air India and Air Canada flights. But in the months of July and September, the India Canada routes were stopped. Generally, the traffic of students from India should be high during these months, but the traffic has reduced considerably due to the tightening of visa issuance in Canada. India Canada flight routes are especially heavily trafficked by students, expatriates, businessmen, visiting family and relatives.
What Canada's New Visa Rules Mean for Indians?
India's fifth largest market in tourism is Canada. Canadian tourists account for 4% of all foreign tourists in 2023. Banking sources say that a gradual decline in the number of students coming to Canada will have a severe impact on Indian banks operating in Canada. Majority of bank customers in Canada are Indian students. Their financial transactions are done through banks. There are thousands of Indians living in Canada who are surviving with small jobs. There is a feeling of despair that even low-wage jobs like cleaning and cooking can be found now. As Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program was tightened last month, the gates to even these jobs are gradually closing. Only 10% of the lowest wage workers are recruited under the TFWs programme. As a result, hundreds of Indians are running out of restaurants and job centres hoping to find a job. Due to this the number of working Indians is decreasing.
India-Canada Row Can Impact Investment flows!
India says that the tensions that have arisen between India and Canada will not have much impact on the economic and trade sectors. At present, India's trade with Canada is frozen to the tune of about 19 billion dollars. From April 2000 to June 2024, Canada has invested $3.9 billion in India. Also, Canada's pension funds have up to $54 billion in investments. Canada Planned Investment Board (CPPBI) has invested nearly one lakh crore in India. While there are up to 600 Canadian companies in India, up to 30 Indian companies are operating in Canada. It is doubtful whether Canada will withdraw or continue its investments under these circumstances.
