To further rein in numbers, the Canadian government has capped study permits at 437,000 for 2025, down from 485,000 last year.
Indian students aspiring to study in Canada are facing growing uncertainty, as newly released data shows a sharp decline in the number of study permits granted to them, a HT report said. In the first quarter of 2025, Canada issued just 30,640 study permits to Indian nationals 바카라” a 31 percent drop compared to the same period in 2024, when 44,295 permits were granted, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The decline is part of a wider tightening of Canada바카라™s immigration policies aimed at reducing temporary residents and easing strain on public services such as housing, healthcare, and transportation.
The downturn follows a peak in 2023, when Canada issued a record 681,155 study permits, with Indian students comprising the largest share at 278,045. In 2024, the total permits fell to 516,275, and those issued to Indian students dropped to 188,465.
To further rein in numbers, the Canadian government has capped study permits at 437,000 for 2025, down from 485,000 this year 바카라” with the same ceiling planned for 2026. The move aligns with Prime Minister Mark Carney바카라™s announcement that temporary residents, including international students and foreign workers, will be limited to no more than 5 percent of the population by 2028.
Alongside the cap, Canada has also tightened the eligibility criteria for study permit applicants:
- Increased Proof of Funds: As of January 1, 2024, applicants must show they have access to at least CA$20,635 (approx. Rs 12.7 lakh), up from the previous requirement of CA$10,000 (approx. Rs 6.14 lakh).
- Verification of Acceptance Letters: Since December 2023, designated learning institutions (DLIs) must verify each acceptance letter through IRCC to confirm its authenticity.
- Application Fees: The standard study permit application costs CA$150, with an additional CA$85 fee for biometric data collection.
These changes come amid growing concerns within Canada about the impact of record immigration levels. Critics argue that the influx has contributed to a worsening housing crisis and overburdened public infrastructure.
Education consultants and immigration experts are advising prospective Indian students to pay close attention to the new requirements and plan well in advance. The heightened financial threshold and administrative checks are expected to make the application process more competitive.
While Canada remains a top destination for international students, particularly from India, these recent policy shifts suggest that gaining entry will now require more preparation 바카라” and possibly, more financial resources 바카라” than in previous years.