Recent Canadian government policy changes have significantly reduced Indian student enrolment, altering the previously favorable landscape. Indian students, who comprised 37% of study visas in 2023, are now facing several new challenges.

Key Factors Behind the Decline:

Policy Changes:-
Study Permit Caps: In 2024, Canada capped study permits at approximately 360,000, a 35% reduction from 2023. This cap, distributed among provinces, makes it harder for Indian students to secure permits.

Stricter Work Permit Criteria: From September 2024, international students can only work off-campus for 24 hours per week, down from a temporary allowance of over 20 hours.

Diplomatic Tensions: A significant drop in study permits (86%) was observed from October to December 2023, due to a diplomatic dispute over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which led to the ejection of Canadian diplomats from India.

Financial Burdens: The financial requirement for study permit applicants has doubled to $20,635, adding to the already significant cost of tuition and travel.

Students from Punjab alone spend over Rs 68,000 crore annually on education in Canada.

Increased Scrutiny: New rules require designated learning institutions to confirm letters of acceptance directly with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), slowing the application process and increasing stress.

Economic Contributions and Impact: Indian students, making up over 41% of Canada's international student population, contribute significantly to the economy.

In 2022, out of 225,450 Indian students granted study permits, 1.36 lakh were from Punjab.

Approximately 3.4 lakh students from Punjab currently study in Canada.

Additional Restrictions:-
Post-Graduation Work Permits: Starting September 1, 2024, students in programs under curriculum licensing agreements will be ineligible.

Spousal Work Permits: New rules limit open work permits for spouses to those of students in master's and doctoral programs.

These policy changes, financial burdens, and diplomatic tensions are collectively contributing to the decline in Indian student enrolment in Canada.