Amidst a diplomatic dispute between India and Canada, there has been a significant drop in the issuance of study permits for Indian students. The decline follows India’s expulsion of Canadian diplomats, and Canada’s Immigration Minister has indicated that the number of study permits for Indian students is unlikely to recover soon.
The diplomatic tensions flared up in June of the previous year when Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau accused India of involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistani figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In response, New Delhi ordered Canada to withdraw 41 diplomats, constituting two-thirds of its staff, in October. This strained relationship has had a notable impact on the flow of Indian students to Canada.
Indians have been Canada’s largest group of international students, making up over 41% of the total in recent years. International students contribute significantly to Canadian universities, generating around C$22 billion annually. Canada has been a favored destination for international students due to the relatively accessible process of obtaining work permits after completing their courses. In 2023, Canada had anticipated hosting approximately 900,000 international students, emphasizing the country’s attractiveness as an educational hub.
Study permits have dropped by 86% as Indian students avoid Canada due to diplomatic tensions.
