In a noteworthy shift, applications for Canadian study permits from Indian students witnessed a sharp decline of over 15% in 2023 compared to the previous year, reflecting a break in the longstanding growth trend. Data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada revealed a drop from 363,484 in 2022 to 307,603 in 2023, signaling a significant reversal from the record high set in the preceding year. The decline was particularly pronounced in the last quarter of 2023, plummeting from 119,923 applications in 2022 to 69,203, a staggering 42% reduction.
Interestingly, despite the decrease in applications, the actual issuance of study permits to Indian students in Canada reached a record-breaking 278,860 in 2023, up from 225,820 in 2022. Indian students constituted a substantial portion, over 41%, of the total 548,720 study permits issued in 2022 and 684,385 in 2023.
Factors contributing to the decline included escalating housing costs in Canada, prompting concerns and impacting application numbers in the latter half of 2023. Additionally, strained bilateral relations following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement in September, citing “credible allegations” linking Indian agents to the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar, further influenced the downturn.
India’s High Commission estimated around 300,000 of its international students were in Canada. Looking ahead, the Canadian government’s move to implement measures, including an intake cap, is anticipated to impact these numbers further. Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller announced a “temporary” cap for two years, with an expected 35% reduction in approved study permits in 2024 compared to 2023. The cap, set at approximately 360,000 study permits for 2024, aligns with the government’s efforts to manage the influx of international students, which surpassed a million the previous year. The situation underscores the evolving dynamics between the two nations and the multifaceted challenges influencing student mobility and immigration policies.
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