Canada to Restrict International Student Visas, Affecting Indian Students

Toronto: In an effort to address housing affordability concerns and manage immigration levels, Canada is gearing up to reduce the number of study visas issued to international students for post-secondary education later this year.

Amid the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, Canada witnessed a surge in study visas, reaching a record 579,075 in 2023, leading to an increase in international student numbers from 617,250 in 2021 to over 900,000 in 2023. Public opinion has linked high immigration levels and international students to housing affordability challenges in urban areas.

To achieve more sustainable levels, the Canadian government intends to curtail study visas. Currently, educational institutions in various provinces independently admit international students without set quotas. However, the federal government is now planning to centralize control, deciding the number of study visas issued and allocating quotas to each province.

This move is expected to have a significant impact on Indian students, who already experienced an over 80% drop in study visas this year. With more than 340,000 Indian students in Canada, they stand to be the most affected by the forthcoming changes.