Canada Slashes Study Permits By 35%, Indians To Feel The Pinch

Canada has announced a 35% reduction in study permits for international students in 2024, aiming to combat immigration misuse and protect students. This decision significantly impacts Indian students, who make up a large portion of the international student body.

Canada has decided to trim the issuance of study permits to international students by 35% this year, with plans to reduce it by an additional 10% the following year.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that this move aims to counteract the misuse of the immigration system and protect students from exploitation. "Immigration is an advantage for our economy - but when bad actors abuse the system and take advantage students, we crack down," he stated. This decision is part of a broader strategy to lower the number of temporary residents, including foreign workers, in the nation.

The Canadian government's recent policy change is expected to significantly affect Indian students, who constitute a significant portion of the international student body in Canada. Data from the Indian government revealed that out of approximately 13.35 lakh Indian students studying abroad, around 4.27 lakh are in Canada.

The past decade has witnessed a 260% surge in the number of Indian students heading to Canada for education. Reports suggest that Indians made up about 40% of the international student population in Canada. With the new policy in place, Indian students may now look towards other countries like the USA, UK, or Australia for their studies.

Addressing Immigration and Temporary Residency

The tightening of foreign worker regulations and the limitation on work permit eligibility for spouses of some students and temporary foreign workers are part of the changes introduced. The Canadian authorities have also instituted a two-year cap on international students earlier this year in an attempt to manage the influx of temporary residents. These steps are in line with Canada's pledge to limit temporary residents to 5% of the total population, a decrease from the 6.8% recorded in April.

Statistics Canada points out that the most significant increase in immigration figures has been from temporary residents, particularly students and workers. Their numbers have doubled in two years, from 1.4 million in the second quarter of 2022 to 2.8 million in the second quarter of 2024. This surge in temporary residency has been linked to various societal issues, including a severe lack of affordable housing and increased living costs.

Impact of Policy Changes on Immigration Numbers

Canada has granted 509,390 study permits in 2023 and 175,920 in the first seven months of 2024, according to data from the immigration department. With the new policy adjustments, the number of international study permits is projected to drop to 437,000 by 2025. These measures are part of Trudeau's Liberal government's efforts to address public concerns over immigration as they face declining popularity in polls ahead of next year's federal elections.

The Canadian government's decision to restrict the number of study permits and revise foreign worker rules reflects an effort to rectify issues within the immigration system and mitigate the challenges arising from an increasing temporary population. While aiming to safeguard the economic benefits of immigration, Canada is taking steps to ensure that its policies do not inadvertently contribute to societal problems or the exploitation of international students.