Amid the reduction in issuance of Canadian study permits, Indian students are looking for alternative destinations
In an unexpected development, the last quarter of 2023 has seen a significant decline of 86% in the issuance of study permits to Indian students in Canada compared to the previous quarter.
India-Canada Relations: The recent diplomatic tensions between India and Canada have begun to affect people-to-people ties between the citizens of the two nations, especially Indian students, who form the largest demographic group at Canadian universities. In an unexpected development, the last quarter of 2023 has seen a significant decline of 86% in the issuance of study permits to Indian students in Canada compared to the previous quarter. Official data, previously undisclosed, reveal a complex situation that goes beyond the typical factors related to education.
This precipitous decline has been attributed to a multitude of factors, with India's expulsion of Canadian diplomats taking center stage as the main disruptor to the permit processing system. Diplomatic tensions, sparked by a controversial dispute over the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil, have cast a shadow on the otherwise thriving relationship between the two nations. A statement from a leading Canadian official revealed that fewer Indian students were choosing to apply, a direct result of these diplomatic tensions.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller expressed reservations about a quick recovery in the issuance of study permits to Indian students and underlined the impact of ongoing diplomatic tensions. Miller acknowledged the impediment caused by the strained relationship, stating: “Our ability to process applications from India is significantly hampered by our diplomatic challenges.”
The recall of 41 diplomats in October 2023 led to a noticeable reduction in Canada's diplomatic presence in India, impacting the efficiency of several processes, including the facilitation of study permits for Indian students. Declining diplomatic ties have also added an invisible layer of uncertainty to the permit processing system, contributing significantly to the substantial decline in the number of study permits issued in the last quarter of 2023.
The dispute has also led to a noticeable shift in the choices of Indian students seeking higher education abroad, with many Indian students exploring educational options in alternative countries, seeking a more stable and hospitable environment in which to pursue their academic ambitions.
It is worth noting that Indians form the largest cohort of international students in Canada, with over 41% of permits in 2022. The diplomatic tensions and subsequent decline in study permits pose a huge challenge for Canadian universities, which rely heavily on international students . contribute approximately C$22 billion ($16.4 billion) annually.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, the Canadian government has announced possible measures, including a cap, that will be implemented in the first half of this year to control the overwhelming number of international students entering the country. Canada, known for its post-study work permit policy, is considering scrutinizing postgraduate work permits and regulating designated learning institutions to effectively manage the influx of international students. Discussions about limiting off-campus working hours for international students have also surfaced, driven by concerns about potential labor shortages.
Despite the government's optimistic prediction that the number of international students will rise sharply by 2023, with Indian students expected to make up 40%, Miller last year acknowledged a decline in the number of permits issued to Indian students, while addressing their continued status as the largest group underlined. This interplay of diplomatic tensions, policy changes, and student perceptions underscores the challenges that both countries and the global academic community face in maintaining a harmonious international education environment.
While a full reset of diplomatic ties may take a long time, it is expected that a gradual thawing of tensions could pave the way for diplomatic dialogue and cooperation. Both countries share a history of cooperation in various areas, including education, and a return to friendly relations could help restore smoother systems for processing permits for international students.
-Vaibhav Gupta
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