Canada Tightens Immigration Policies, Impacting Indian Students
Canada has recently implemented stricter immigration and visa policies, affecting thousands of Indian students studying abroad. Since the new regulations came into effect on January 31, many students have faced permit cancellations, increased scrutiny of visa applications, and stricter enforcement of departure rules.
According to reports, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is projected to revoke 7,000 permits this year, impacting around 4,27,000 Indian students in Canada. Students whose permits are revoked may be required to leave the country unless they successfully appeal, which can be costly.
There has been a 40% drop in study permits issued to Indian students, and the introduction of a C$20,635 GIC requirement for Fall 2025 applicants poses a financial challenge for many middle-class Indian families.
The tightening of Canada’s immigration policies is expected to impact Indian students, employees, and temporary residents. The amended rules allow authorities to cancel temporary resident documents and permits if an individual’s status or circumstances change, making them ineligible or inadmissible.
Despite being a popular destination for Indian students, Canada’s recent immigration changes have raised concerns among the international student population. The cancellation of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa programme in late 2024 is among the recent changes in Ottawa’s immigration framework.
