Canada reports 40% decline in Indian students’ visa applications after murder of Sikh leader, leaving room for Pakistanis

Since July 2023, Canadian study permit applications from Indian students have plummeted by 40%, as indicated by recent data unveiled in a report.

This decline has opened up opportunities for students from various nations to fill the gap left by departing Indian applicants, notably benefiting Pakistani nationals seeking to study in Canada.

An article released by ApplyBoard, an online international student recruitment platform, suggests that this decline might be attributed to social media posts by Indian students detailing the challenges they encountered while studying in Canada.

Between July and October, the Canadian government processed 60,000 study permit applications from Indian students, marking a stark decrease from the 146,000 processed in 2022.

A major concern for international students has been the high cost of living. Analysis by ApplyBoard of top-tier Indian media articles published from April to August 2023 revealed a fivefold increase in housing expenses in Canada compared to the same period in 2022.

In response to these challenges, the Canadian government introduced initiatives to assist foreigners in managing expenses. They allocated CAD12.1 billion to enhance affordability nationwide, including measures like reducing childcare fees by 50% in Ontario and increasing the Old Age Security (OAS) pension by 10% for seniors.

To adapt to current circumstances, Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada raised the fees for student permit applications starting January 1, marking the first adjustment since their establishment in 2000.

In 2022, Canada hosted 551,405 students from 184 countries, with 226,450 of them being Indian students. Interestingly, while Indian student applications decreased, applications from other countries surged by 34% for study permits in Canada.