The Canadian dream for Indian students seeking a foreign degree has taken a significant hit. Canada, a top destination for Indian students, has implemented a drastic reduction in international student permits. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a 35% cut in permits for 2024, followed by a further 10% decrease in 2025. This move, attributed to concerns over visa abuse and a need to address Canada’s housing crisis, has left many Indian students scrambling for alternative options.
In January, Canada’s immigration minister highlighted the 35% reduction, stating that it would result in 364,000 approved study permits in 2024. The additional 10% decrease for 2025 signifies a significant tightening of the program, with only 327,000 permits expected to be issued.
The impact of these restrictions is evident in the dwindling number of Indian students applying to Canadian universities. The University of Toronto, one of Canada’s largest institutions, reported a staggering 40% drop in applications from India this year. Joseph Wong, the university’s vice-president of international affairs, attributed the decline to the lack of clarity and uncertainty surrounding the permit process.
Education consultants have observed a significant shift in student preferences, with Eastern European countries emerging as potential alternatives. Vaibhav Gupta, chief marketing officer of iSchoolConnect Pvt Ltd, an overseas education consultant, stated that approximately 22% of their students (616 students) previously chose Canada, while 7-10% opted for Eastern European nations. Colleges from Poland, Georgia, Estonia, and Lithuania are actively engaging with Indian students, holding counseling sessions to attract more applicants.
The decline in applications is not limited to the University of Toronto. Akshay Chaturvedi, founder and CEO of Leverage Edu, noted a 40% decrease in inquiries for higher education programs at Canadian universities. Chaturvedi expressed concern over the short-sightedness of the policy, believing that the impact will ultimately be temporary.
The Canadian government’s efforts to curb international student numbers extend beyond permit restrictions. In 2024, Canada doubled the Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) requirement from CAD$10,000 (approximately 6 lakh INR) to CAD$20,635 (12 lakh INR). This GIC, a secure investment, serves as proof of financial capability for students seeking to cover their living and educational expenses in Canada.
The combination of reduced permits, stricter visa rules, and increased GIC requirements has created a challenging environment for Indian students seeking to study in Canada. As a result, students are exploring other destinations, such as the United States, Australia, and European countries, particularly for fields like engineering, medicine, and science. Australia, similar to Canada, has also implemented restrictions on international student intake in recent years.
While the future of Canada’s international student program remains uncertain, the impact on Indian students’ aspirations is undeniable. The future of these programs hinges on upcoming Canadian elections, scheduled for October 2025. Until then, the cloud over higher education in Canada is expected to persist, forcing Indian students to navigate a more complex and uncertain landscape.
