Canada Sees Record Drop in Indian Student Permits Amid Policy Changes

Recent data reveals a significant decline in the number of international student permits issued to Indian applicants in Canada. According to statistics from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), approvals have plummeted by more than 93 percent over the past two years. From January to August this year, only 9,955 permits were granted to students from India, a stark contrast to 149,875 permits in the same period of 2023, and 76,930 permits last year.

This decline is part of a broader trend in Canada, where the government has reduced the issuance of permits for both students and workers. For the current year, the total permits available for students has been capped at 437,000, representing a 10 percent reduction from the previous year. These adjustments come as the government responds to concerns over high immigration levels impacting healthcare, education services, and housing costs.

Shifting Demographics in Student Applications

In 2023, Indian students accounted for approximately 35 percent of all foreign student visa applications. This year, this figure has dropped to just under 17 percent of a reduced pool of applicants. Alarmingly, the rejection rate for Indian applicants has surged to 71 percent, compared to an average rejection rate of 58 percent for applicants from other countries. Last year, only 23 percent of Indian applicants faced rejection.

The IRCC spokesperson highlighted that while refusal rates from India have increased, global approval rates have also declined. The spokesperson stated, “All study permit applications are assessed equally and against the same criteria, regardless of the country of origin.” These assessments are made on a case-by-case basis, relying on the accuracy and completeness of the information provided by applicants.

Concerns Over Fraudulent Applications

Factors specific to Indian applicants have also played a role in the increased rejection rates. A study by Reuters noted that in 2023, Canadian authorities uncovered 1,550 study permit applications linked to fraudulent letters of acceptance, most of which originated from India. Last year, the verification system detected over 14,000 potentially fraudulent letters from all applicants.

The spokesperson for IRCC mentioned that changes to the International Student Program aimed at strengthening its integrity may have influenced approval rates. These changes include a verification process requiring post-secondary institutions to confirm the authenticity of acceptance letters directly with IRCC. Additionally, the financial requirements for students have been raised to ensure they are prepared for life in Canada.

Furthermore, the phase-out of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) in late 2024, which had previously offered higher approval rates, is another contributing factor. The SDS was particularly accessible to applicants from India.

In response to the rising rejection rates, the Indian embassy in Ottawa acknowledged the situation but emphasized that the issuance of study permits remains at Canada’s discretion. The embassy stated, “Some of the best quality students available in the world are from India,” noting the significant academic contributions these students have made in the past.

According to the Canadian Bureau for International Education, Indian students constituted 39 percent of the total international student population in Canada last year, with China following at a distant 10 percent.

The shift in approval rates for Indian students comes amid a backdrop of steadily rising tuition fees for international students, which have nearly doubled in the past decade. The average cost for international undergraduate study has surged from $11,093 in 2007 to $22,061 in 2024, compared to a 61 percent increase for domestic students.

During a recent visit to India, Anita Anand, Canada’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, expressed the government’s commitment to maintaining opportunities for Indian students while ensuring the integrity of its immigration system.

As Canada navigates these changes, the impact on international students, especially from India, remains a critical area of focus for policymakers and educational institutions alike.