No Comments
In a notable shift, the number of study permit applications from Indian students aiming to pursue higher education in Canadian institutions witnessed a significant decline in 2023 compared to the previous year.
According to data from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, applications dropped from 363,484 in 2022 to 307,603 in 2023, marking a decrease of over 15%. This decline contrasts with the upward trend observed in recent years, particularly evident in the remarkable surge recorded in 2022.
Rise in Study Permits Issued
Despite the decrease in applications, the actual issuance of study permits to Indian students increased. The number rose to a record 278,860 in 2023, up from 225,820 in the preceding year. Indian students constituted a significant portion, accounting for over 41% of the total study permit holders, which numbered 548,720 in 2022 and escalated to 684,385 in 2023.
Factors Contributing to the Decline
The downturn in study permit applications can be attributed to various factors, including concerns over housing affordability and strained bilateral relations between India and Canada. Housing affordability emerged as a significant concern, particularly as shelter costs surged steeply across Canada. Additionally, tensions between the two nations intensified following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s remarks in September 2023 regarding alleged links between Indian agents and the killing of a pro-Khalistan figure in Surrey, British Columbia.
Anticipated Impact in 2024
The trend of declining study permit applications is expected to persist in 2024 as the Canadian government implements measures to regulate the influx of international students.
In January, Ottawa announced the imposition of an intake cap, projected to result in a 35% reduction in approved study permits compared to 2023. Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Marc Miller, outlined that the “temporary” cap will be effective for two years, with the cap for 2025 subject to reassessment at the end of 2024.
Read also: South Korea Witnesses Surge in Russian Asylum Seekers
OTT India updates you with the latest news, Country’s no.1 digital news platform OTT India, Keeps you updated with national, and international news from all around the world. For more such updates, download the OTT India app on your Android and IOS device.
